The concert of dolichol-based glycosylation: from molecules to disease models
The covalent attachment of sugar units to proteins is a complex posttranslational modification found in all domains of life. N-glycosylation, C-mannosylation and O-mannosylation are prevalent and highly conserved glycosylation pathways, all essential for vertebrate development. The three pathways start in the endoplasmic reticulum, are based on the lipid dolichol and compete for both mannosyl donor substrates and acceptor proteins, which in many cases receive more than one type of glycan. Along these three glycosylation routes, today we know of endoplasmic reticulum associated defects in over 30 genes that cause devastating multisystemic disease manifestations (congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG-I)), underlining the importance of these processes.
So far, the three mentioned glycosylation pathways have been studied independently from each other. However, to understand the complexity of glycosylation disorders, it is imperative to decipher the details of the dolichol-based N-glycosylation, C- and O-mannosylation pathways, as well as the precise conditions for their interconnections. To address these questions on the molecular, cellular and organismal level, we have not only brought together experts in N-glycosylation, C- and O-mannosylation, but also in structural and lipid biochemistry, in proteomics, glycoproteomics, glycomics and lipidomics, as well as in developmental biology. In the frame of the collaborative Research Unit, we can thus make use of the newest methodological developments in the different fields. Our vision is to gain a deeper understanding of dolichol-based glycosylation to facilitate the development of diagnostic tools and new therapeutic approaches.
The ten groups of the research unit are situated at four different location: Heidelberg University, University of Frankfurt, Hannover Medical School, and Max Planck Institute Magdeburg.
Please visit the website of our research group (www.FOR2509.de) for more information.
