• Protein glycosylation in insec...

*Result*: Protein glycosylation in insects: types, functions, and variation.

Title:
Protein glycosylation in insects: types, functions, and variation.
Authors:
De Schutter K; Molecular Entomology Lab, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Biosciences Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Kristof.DeSchutter@UGent.be.
Source:
Current opinion in insect science [Curr Opin Insect Sci] 2026 Feb; Vol. 73, pp. 101441. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 27.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 101635599 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2214-5753 (Electronic) NLM ISO Abbreviation: Curr Opin Insect Sci Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: Amsterdam : Elsevier
MeSH Terms:
Insecta*/metabolism , Insecta*/genetics , Insecta*/physiology , Insect Proteins*/metabolism , Protein Processing, Post-Translational*, Polysaccharides/metabolism ; Animals ; Glycosylation
Substance Nomenclature:
0 (Insect Proteins)
0 (Polysaccharides)
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20251011 Date Completed: 20251211 Latest Revision: 20251211
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1016/j.cois.2025.101441
PMID:
41075869
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*Protein glycosylation, or the modification of proteins with carbohydrate structures, is a fundamental post-translational modification that plays a pivotal role in the biology of insects. Glycans influence multiple physiological processes, including development, immunity, cell attachment, and intercellular communication by modulating the stability, localization, and activity of the proteins they decorate. While the general principles of glycosylation are conserved throughout eukaryotes, insects possess a distinct repertoire of glycan structures. This review provides a comprehensive overview of glycosylation in insects, beginning with the glycosylation pathways and the enzymatic machinery involved. Subsequently, the unique structural features and diversity compared to other taxa are discussed. Special attention is given to microvariations in glycan composition and structure at the cellular, tissue, and organismal levels, revealing dynamic regulation and context-dependent expression. Finally, we discuss the functional implications of glycosylation in insects. Together, these insights underscore the complexity and biological significance of glycosylation in insect physiology and open avenues for future research in glycobiology and insect biotechnology.
(Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)*

*Declaration of Competing Interest The author has no competing interests.*