Are N-linked glycans intrinsically disordered?

Abstract

The covalent attachment of oligosaccharides to asparagine side chains on protein surfaces (N-linked glycosylation) is a ubiquitous modification that is critical to protein stability and function. Experimental 3D structures of glycoproteins in which the N-linked glycans are well resolved are rare due to both the presumed flexibility of the N-linked glycan and to glycan microheterogeneity. To surmount these limitations, computational modeling is often applied to glycoproteins, particularly to generate an ensemble of 3D shapes for the N-linked glycans. While the number of glycoprotein modelling tools continues to expand, the available experimental data against which the predictions can be validated remains extremely limited. Here, we present our current understanding of the dynamic properties of N-linked glycans, with a particular focus on features that impact their presentation (orientation) relative to the protein surface. Additionally, we review the limits of experimental and theoretical studies of glycoproteins, and ask the question, “Are N-linked glycans intrinsically disordered?”.