Chemistry and biology of asparagine-linked glycosylation

The biosynthesis of glycoprotein conjugates is a complex process that invol ves the collective action of numerous enzymes. Recent research on the chemi stry and biology of asparagine-linked glycosylation in our group has been f ocused on two specific areas. These are the development of potent inhibitor s of oligosaccharyl transferase and the investigation of the conformational consequences of the glycosylation process. Since asparagine-linked glycosy lation is an essential eukaryotic process, an understanding of the details of this complex transformation is of utmost importance both to fundamental biochemistry and to a consideration of the mechanisms of homeostatic contro l.