I\'m wondering if anyone can offer some insight or more specific detail on glyco
ID: 190366 • Letter: I
Question
I'm wondering if anyone can offer some insight or more specific detail on glycolayx. The glycolayx is described as the sticky, sugar-covering that accompanies the carbohydrate groups of glycoproteins which protude on the outer part of the cell membrane. My text book says that it can often hide surface proteins on the cell membrane that may stimulate an immune response.
My question is: Does the glycolayx only affect the surface proteins near by, or will it cover the majority of the cell surface? Also, does the glycolayx, in any way change the orientation of the surface molecules?? Perhaps, the proteins would rearrange themselves and laterally diffuse to escapt the sugary coating?
Explanation / Answer
The glycolipids are mostly found in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. It is only their carbohydrate portions which are exposed on the cell surface.