Home > Science > What is the Difference Between N-linked and O-linked Oligosaccharides?
Guilherme Mazui
•3 minutes to read
The main difference between N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides lies in the type of amino acid residues to which the sugar is attached. N-linked oligosaccharides are attached to an asparagine (N) residue, while O-linked oligosaccharides are attached to a serine or threonine (O) residue. Here are some key differences between N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides:
- Amino Acid Residues: N-linked glycosylation connects the sugar to an asparagine (N) residue, while O-linked glycosylation prefers a serine or threonine (O) residue.
- Core Structure: N-linked sugars adopt the high mannose type core structure, whereas O-linked sugars offer a more extensive range of core structures, including core 1, core 2, and core 3.
- Glycan Linkages: In N-linked glycosylation, a protein can exhibit multiple glycan linkages ranging from one to many. In contrast, O-linked glycosylation typically includes only a single sugar residue added to a serine or threonine.
- Glycosylation Process: Both N-linked and O-linked glycosylation are highly regulated processes, and there are several cases in which these two pathways can cross-regulate each other. For example, O-linked glycosylation can affect the efficiency and specificity of N-linked glycosylation.
In summary, N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides differ in the type of amino acid residues they are attached to, their core structures, the number of glycan linkages, and the ways in which their glycosylation processes are regulated.
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Comparative Table: N-linked vs O-linked Oligosaccharides
The main difference between N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides lies in the type of amino acid residue to which the sugar is attached and the core structure of the oligosaccharide itself. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides:
| Aspect | N-linked Oligosaccharides | O-linked Oligosaccharides |
|---|---|---|
| Amino Acid Residue | Attached to an asparagine (N) residue | Attached to a serine or threonine (O) residue |
| Core Structure | Adopts the high mannose type core structure | Offers a more extensive range of core structures, including core 1, core 2, and core 3 |
| Number of Glycan Linkages | A protein can exhibit multiple glycan linkages, ranging from one to many | Typically includes only a single sugar residue added to a serine or threonine |
| Glycosylation Location | Predominantly carried out in the ER and Golgi apparatus | Occurs primarily in the Golgi apparatus |
N-linked oligosaccharides are carbohydrate molecules where an oligosaccharide is attached to an asparagine residue, while O-linked oligosaccharides are a type of carbohydrates where a sugar molecule is attached to an oxygen atom of a serine or threonine residue.
Read more:
- N Glycosylation vs O Glycosylation
- Monosaccharide vs Polysaccharide
- Disaccharide vs Polysaccharide
- N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine vs N-Acetyl Glucosamine
- O Acylation vs N Acylation
- Glycosylation vs Glycosidation
- Disaccharide vs Monosaccharide
- Oligonucleotide vs Polynucleotide
- Glycation vs Glycosylation
- Oligopeptide vs Polypeptide
- Oligomer vs Polymer
- Nucleotide vs Nucleic Acid
- Glucose vs Galactose
- Nucleotide vs Nucleoside
- Sucrose vs Lactose
- Amino Acid vs Nucleic Acid
- Maltose vs Isomaltose
- Cellobiose vs Maltose
- Glycosidic Bond vs Peptide Bond
Guilherme Mazui
Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.
