Cellular membranes and cell surface glycans

Cellular membranes and their associated carbohydrate moieties, including glycoproteins and glycolipids, form the essential boundary and interface of all living cells (Varki et al., Essentials of Glycobiology, 2017). The plasma membrane provides structural integrity and regulates the transport of molecules, while the glycocalyx—the carbohydrate-rich outer layer—plays a critical role in cell-cell recognition, adhesion, and signaling (Gallagher et al., 2019). In many diseases, such as cancer, the glycosylation patterns on the cell surface are significantly altered, leading to the expression of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) that can be targeted by monoclonal antibodies like Dinutuximab (Feizi, 1985; NIH/NCI). Additionally, many anti-infective agents, such as Amphotericin B and Polymyxins, function by disrupting the integrity of microbial membranes or by binding to specific cell surface components (StatPearls, 2023). Despite their importance, targeting these structures presents challenges due to the potential for off-target effects on healthy host cells and the complex, heterogeneous nature of glycan structures (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021).

Other names

GlycocalyxPlasma membraneCell surface carbohydratesSurface glycoproteins and glycolipidsCell surface glycans

Direct disruption of lipid bilayer integrity, formation of transmembrane pores leading to ion leakage, binding to specific carbohydrate epitopes to block pathogen entry, and targeting of tumor-associated glycolipids for immune-mediated destruction.