Membrane-Anchored Carbohydrates in Models of Cellular and Bacterial Surfaces

SCHNECK, E.; REHFELDT, F.; RAFAEL GUSTAVO OLIVEIRA; GEGE, C.; DEMÉ, B.; TANAKA, M.

Sokendai

Encuentro; The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Summer Programme Sokendai; 2008

In nature cell-cell interactions are mediated by membrane-associated oligosaccharides (sugar groups), called extracellular matrix (ECM) and glycocalix. These oligosaccharides regulate, via a complex interplay of various physical interactions, the distance between the neighboring cell membranes. In case of Gram-negative bacteria they act as a protection against antibacterial molecules (e.g. peptides). To understand the role of these oligosaccharides simplified models of cellular and bacterial surfaces, composed of glycolipids (membrane-anchored oligosaccharides), are studied.