Dolichol Phosphate, a Coenzyme in the Glycosylation of Animal Membrane-Bound Glycoproteins

Abstract

The last few years have seen a tremendous increase in interest in, and understanding of, the biochemistry of membranes. One membrane-associated activity is the catalysis of the glycosylation of complex polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The formation of bacterial wall polysaccharides by preparations of plasma membrane has been studied extensively, and the role of undecaprenol phosphate as a lipid-soluble coenzyme in the enzyme complexes involved is now well established (Lennarz & Scher, 1972; Hemming, 1974). It is clear that dolichol phosphate plays an analogous role in the glycosylation of several membrane-bound glycoproteins of eukaryotes, although the details and especially the nature of theglycoproteins concerned are still being worked out. The present short review summarizes the current position in animal systems. The reader could consult with advantage other more-detailed reviews (see, for example, Waechter & Lennarz, 1976; Behrens, 1974).