Glycan structure-based perspectives on the entry and release of glycoproteins in the calnexin/calreticulin cycle

Abstract

N-glycans are attached to newly synthesised polypeptides and are involved in the folding, secretion, and degradation of N-linked glycoproteins. In particular, the calnexin/calreticulin cycle, which is the central mechanism of the entry and release of N-linked glycoproteins depending on the folding sates, has been well studied. In addition to biological studies on the calnexin/calreticulin cycle, several studies have revealed complementary roles of in vitro chemistry-based research in the structure-based understanding of the cycle. In this mini-review, we summarise chemistry-based results and highlight their importance for further understanding of the cycle.

Keywords: Calnexin/calreticulin cycle; Chemical approach; Glucosidase; Mannosidase; Monoglucosylated oligomannose-type glycan.