Abstract
Glycoproteins are major players in the mucus protective barrier in the gastrointestinal and other mucosal surfaces. In particular the mucus glycoproteins, or mucins, are responsible for the protective gel barrier. They are characterized by their high carbohydrate content, present in their variable number, tandem repeat domains. Throughout evolution the mucins have been maintained as integral components of the mucosal barrier, emphasizing their essential biological status. The glycosylation of the mucins is achieved through a series of biosynthetic pathways processes, which generate the wide range of glycans found in these molecules. Thus mucins are decorated with molecules having information in the form of a glycocode. The enteric microbiota interacts with the mucosal mucus barrier in a variety of ways in order to fulfill its many normal processes. How bacteria read the glycocode and link to normal and pathological processes is outlined in the review.
Highlights
The mucosal protective barrier is a feature of higher animals and has been developed and maintained throughout evolution [1,2]
The prokaryotes show a diverse range of protein glycans that vary from the eukaryotes in their structure and mode of metabolism [53]. This evolutionary data highlights the physiological consequences of mucin glycosylation and gives a perspective in relation to the current emphasis placed on DNA and protein sequence information
The synthesis of mucin O-glycans can be mapped to well-defined pathways in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and Golgi compartments of the cell, where the glycosyltransferases add the monosaccharides, one by one, to the growing O-glycan chain attached to the mucin peptide serine and threonine residues
Summary
The mucosal protective barrier is a feature of higher animals and has been developed and maintained throughout evolution [1,2]. The sequences generated and expressed are known and predictable, due to their mode of synthesis They form a glycocode [9] where the sequence is recognized by proteins that play a role in mucosal protection, resident and pathogenic microorganisms, transient food borne bacteria interactions, and innate and adaptive immune responses [10]. This glycocode is species and tissue specific and is closely linked to the microbiota associated with individual mucosal surfaces [10,11,12]. This review will identify the principal characteristics of the mucosal protective barrier in the gut, with regard to the role of the mucins and their glycosylation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
