Emerging roles of N-linked glycosylation in brain physiology and disorders

N-linked glycosylation is a complex, co-and post-translational series of events that connects metabolism to signaling in almost all cells. Metabolic assembly of N-linked glycans spans multiple cellular compartments, and early N-linked glycan biosynthesis is a central mediator of protein folding and the unfolded protein response (UPR). In the brain, N-linked glycosylated proteins participate in a myriad of processes, from electrical gradients to neurotransmission. However, it is less clear how perturbations in N-linked glycosylation impact and even potentially drive aspects of neurological disorders. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the metabolic origins of N-linked glycans in the brain, their role in modulating neuronal function, and how aberrant N-linked glycosylation can drive neurological disorders.

Automated summary

N-linked glycosylation is a complex process that connects metabolism to signaling in almost all cells, playing important roles in the brain. Aberrant N-linked glycosylation may potentially drive neurological disorders.