EXPERIMENTAL-DETERMINATION OF OLIGOSACCHARIDE 3-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE

The three-dimensional structures of oligosaccharides and their complex es with proteins determined by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy , and optical techniques during the past year are surveyed. The recept or-bound conformation of oligosaccharides often deviates from the lowe st energy solution conformation, suggesting a functional role for olig osaccharide flexibility in carbohydrate-protein interactions.