N-linked Glycosylation
N-linked glycosylation is a biochemical process where sugar molecules are attached to a nitrogen atom in an amino acid, typically asparagine, within a protein. This modification occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus of cells, playing a crucial role in protein folding, stability, and function.
The addition of sugar chains can influence various biological processes, including cell signaling and immune responses. N-linked glycosylation is essential for the proper functioning of many proteins, including antibodies and hormones, and is involved in the development of certain diseases when the process is disrupted.