Carbohydrate-protein interactions: a 3D view by NMR

Abstract

This review focuses on the application of NMR methods for understanding, at the molecular and atomic levels, the diverse mechanisms by which sugar molecules are recognised by the binding sites of lectins, antibodies and enzymes. Given the intrinsic chemical natures of sugars and their flexibility, it is well established that NMR parameters should be complemented by computational methods in attempts to unravel the structural and conformational features of the molecular recognition process unambiguously. We therefore aim here to describe new and significant advances in the knowledge of carbohydrate-protein interactions, obtained by employing state-of-the-art NMR and molecular modelling. We have not attempted to prepare an exhaustive review but have tried to focus on describing the key aspects that should be considered when tackling a problem within this research topic.