Protein-protein interaction in the polysccharide biosynthesis

In mammalian cells, glycosyltransferases are known to be organized in an assembly line in the secretory pathway and it is important for production of specific glycan structure. We are investigating whether the similar organization occurs in plant polysaccharide biosynthesis. 

 

Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique, we have observed interactions among some of the glycosyltransferases and also between glycosyltransferases and NDP-sugar transporters. We are currently investigating biological significance of such protein-protein interactions in the biosynthesis of certain polysaccharide.