O-glycans

O-glycans are complex sugar chains attached to proteins on the surface of cells, playing crucial roles in cell communication, immune response, and protein stability. They are added to the oxygen atom of certain amino acids, mainly serine and threonine, during protein production. These sugar chains can vary in size and structure, influencing how proteins function and are recognized by other molecules. O-glycans are vital for normal biological processes, and changes in their structure are associated with diseases like cancer and genetic disorders.