Question

Compare the synthesis of O- and N-linked oligosaccharides

Short answer

Answer: The most common difference between N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides is that N-linked oligosaccharides are formed when N atoms of proteins bind with a sugar. On the other hand, O-linked oligosaccharides are formed when O atoms of serine or threonine bind with a sugar.

Step-by-step solution

N-linked Oligosaccharides

• N-linked oligosaccharides are carbohydrate molecules whose oligosaccharides are attached to nitrogen atoms. This takes place through the process of N-glycosylation.
• In the process of N-linked glycosylation, it was seen that the nitrogen atom usually comes from the amide nitrogen of an asparagine residue of a protein.

O-linked Oligosaccharides

• O-linked oligosaccharides are carbohydrates in which a sugar molecule is attached to an oxygen atom of a serine or threonine residue in a protein.
• This process of bond formation is known as O-linked glycosylation.