Galactose-containing glycoconjugates

Galactose-containing glycoconjugates are a diverse class of biomolecules, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans, that feature galactose or its derivatives as integral components of their carbohydrate chains [1, 15]. These molecules are ubiquitous on the cell surface and within the extracellular matrix, forming a major part of the glycocalyx that mediates essential biological processes such as cell-cell adhesion, signal transduction, and immune recognition [2, 12]. They serve as the primary ligands for various glycan-binding proteins, most notably the galectin family and the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), which translate glycan-encoded information into physiological or pathological responses [1, 6, 13]. In diseases such as cancer, the expression and branching of these glycoconjugates are frequently altered, leading to the presentation of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) like GD2 or MUC1 that facilitate metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune evasion [10, 17]. Consequently, specific galactose-containing glycoconjugates are targeted by therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, such as dinutuximab, to induce targeted cell death via immune-mediated mechanisms [17]. In metabolic disorders like galactosemia, the synthesis of these glycoconjugates is impaired due to enzyme deficiencies, leading to systemic complications and highlighting their critical role in normal development [11].

Other names

β-galactoside-containing glycoconjugatesGalactosylated glycansGalactose-terminated glycoconjugatesGalactose-containing glycoproteins and glycolipids

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC); Blockade of glycan-lectin interactions.