Structures Common to Different Glycans

This chapter describes terminal glycan structures that are common to different classes of glycans. They are the variable portions of N-glycans, O-glycans, and glycolipids that are attached to the core sugars characteristic of each glycan class. The core structures of N-glycans, O-glycans, and glycolipids (Figure 13.1) are the product of biosynthetic pathways discussed in Chapters 8, 9, and 10. More complicated cores can result from tissue- or cell-type-specific pathways and lead to further structural diversification of glycan chains. The glycan units formed by subultimate and terminal sugars at “outer” positions of a glycan often determine the function(s) or recognition properties of a glycoconjugate.