Glycoconjugate

Glycoconjugates (Greek γλυκυς ( glykys ) sweet, and Latin conjugare, connect ) is the name of a class of macromolecular chemical compounds consisting of carbohydrate components ( saccharides ) and proteins ( proteins ) are made. They are therefore also referred to as protein-bound complex carbohydrates.

The major glycoconjugates are glycoproteins that fulfill various functions in the organism. Mostly they are used as components ( structural proteins) of cell membranes and connective tissues ( proteoglycans ).

Sometimes the term is also commonly used for the class of oligomeric and polymeric compounds with carbohydrate content and serves as a generic category of polysaccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids.