What does glycosylation refer to in a biological context?

Glycosylation refers to the process by which carbohydrate (sugar) molecules are covalently attached to proteins or lipids, and this occurs as a post-translational modification. After a protein has been synthesized by ribosomes, it can undergo various modifications that affect its function, stability, location, and interactions with other molecules. Glycosylation can influence protein folding, enhance solubility, protect proteins from degradation, and play a key role in cell-cell recognition and signaling.

In biological systems, glycosylation is critical for the proper functioning of many proteins, especially those that are secreted or presented on cell surfaces. It is involved in the formation of glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are important components of membranes and extracellular matrices. This modification is highly regulated and varies between different cell types and developmental stages.

Understanding glycosylation as a form of post-translational modification helps to appreciate its significance in cell biology, immunology, and even in therapeutic contexts such as monoclonal antibody design and other biotechnological applications.