Viscous, carbohydrate rich layer at the outermost periphery of a cell.
Glycocalyx
TEM micrograph of a B. subtilis bacterium, with the hair-like glycocalyx visible surrounding the cell membrane (scale bar = 200 nm)
Identifiers
MeSH
D019276
TH
H1.00.01.1.00002
FMA
66838
Anatomical terms of microanatomy
[edit on Wikidata]
The glycocalyx (pl.: glycocalyces or glycocalyxes), also known as the pericellular matrix and sometime cell coat, is a glycoprotein and glycolipid covering which surrounds the cell membranes of bacteria, epithelial cells, and other cells. It was described in a review article in 1970.[1]
Animal epithelial cells have a fuzz-like coating on the external surface of their plasma membranes. This viscous coating is the glycocalyx that consists of several carbohydrate moieties of membrane glycolipids and glycoproteins, which serve as backbone molecules for support. Generally, the carbohydrate portion of the glycolipids found on the surface of plasma membranes helps these molecules contribute to cell–cell recognition, communication, and intercellular adhesion.[2]
The glycocalyx is a type of identifier that the body uses to distinguish between its own healthy cells and transplanted tissues, diseased cells, or invading organisms. Included in the glycocalyx are cell-adhesion molecules that enable cells to adhere to each other and guide the movement of cells during embryonic development.[3] The glycocalyx plays a major role in regulation of endothelial vascular tissue, including the modulation of red blood cell volume in capillaries.[4]
The term was initially applied to the polysaccharide matrix coating epithelial cells, but its functions have been discovered to go well beyond that.
^Martínez-Palomo, A. (1970). "The Surface Coats of Animal Cells". International Review of Cytology. 29: 29–75. doi:10.1016/S0074-7696(08)60032-7. ISBN 9780123643292.
^McKinley, M. & V.D. O’Loughlin. Human Anatomy. McGraw-Hill, 2012. 3rd ed. p. 30-31.
^Saladin, Kenneth. "Anatomy & Physiology: The unity of form and function." McGraw Hill. 5th Edition. 2010. p. 94-95
^Reitsma, Sietze. "The endothelial glycocalyx: composition, functions, and visualization." European Journal of Physiology. 2007. Vol. 454. Num. 3. p. 345-359
The glycocalyx (pl.: glycocalyces or glycocalyxes), also known as the pericellular matrix and sometime cell coat, is a glycoprotein and glycolipid covering...
endothelial glycocalyx whose interpolymer spaces function as a system of small pores, radius circa 5 nm. Where the endothelial glycocalyx overlies a gap...
cells which line the inner surface of the small and large intestines. A glycocalyx surface coat contains digestive enzymes. Microvilli on the apical surface...
pathogens and other antigen-presenting cells. The microvilli are covered with glycocalyx, consisting of peripheral glycoproteins that can attach themselves to...
criticised and attention has been shifted to the impact of the intravascular glycocalyx layer as the major player. The word 'oncotic' by definition is termed...
structures, including the cell wall and the carbohydrate layer called the glycocalyx, as well as the intracellular network of protein fibers called the cytoskeleton...
They can also generate movement where they are called type IV pili. Glycocalyx is produced by many bacteria to surround their cells, and varies in structural...
bacteria secrete extracellular polymers outside of their cell walls called glycocalyx. These polymers are usually composed of polysaccharides and sometimes...
layer. Capsule and slime layer are sometimes summarized under the term glycocalyx. Most bacterial capsules are composed of polysaccharide, but some species...
range from glycoproteins in cell surface membranes that constitute the glycocalyx, to important antibodies produced by leukocytes. Chemical synthesized...
glycolipids. Therefore, the slime layer is considered as a subset of glycocalyx. While slime layers and capsules are found most commonly in bacteria,...
of a lipid bilayer and a thin outer coat of polysaccharide material (glycocalyx) that contacts the basement membrane. The basement membrane contains numerous...
of the cytoplasm that contains the prokaryote's single DNA molecule. Glycocalyx (only in some types of prokaryotes) A glycoprotein-polysaccharide covering...
receptors. The endoneurium consists of an inner sleeve of material called the glycocalyx and an outer, delicate, meshwork of collagen fibres. Nerves are bundled...
Bertozzi has applied the techniques of bioorthogonal chemistry to study glycocalyx, the sugars that surround the cell membrane. Her discoveries have advanced...
Neisseria infections, since Neisseria have a thin cell wall and little to no glycocalyx. Terminal complement pathway deficiency Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria...
attachment surface for several extracellular structures such as a cell wall, glycocalyx, and cytoskeleton. Within the cytoplasm of a cell, there are many biomolecules...
Hyaluronidase, when injected into the circulation, results in the loss of glycocalyx and is therefore considered as a potential endogenous sheddase. However...
border on the apical surface of the epithelial cells is covered with glycocalyx, which is composed of oligosaccharides attached to membrane glycoproteins...
in cell recognition. Examples include: Fibronectin Laminin Osteonectin Glycocalyx Media related to Membrane glycoproteins at Wikimedia Commons Membrane+glycoproteins...
proteins they can be bound to. Saccharolipids Sophorolipid Rhamnolipid Glycocalyx Glycome Glycoprotein Niemann–Pick disease Voet D, Voet J, Pratt C (2013)...
other body structures, some types of mucopolysaccharides, sialylated glycocalyx of cells etc. For many of these targets it is one of the most widely used...
Additionally, these are lined with a mucous membrane consisting of a surface glycocalyx that protects the cells beneath it from urine. The epithelium lies on...
they do not contain microtubules. They may or may not be covered by a glycocalyx coating. They have no fixed arrangement, different to the structure present...
causes similar response to SIRS. Bacterial virulence factors, such as glycocalyx and various adhesins, allow colonization, immune evasion, and establishment...
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