Cell surface glycoconjugates in intercellular and cell-substratum interactions.

Progress in understanding the role of the carbohydrate moieties of cell surface adhesion molecules is evaluated. Functional roles of the oligosaccharides of extracellular matrix glycoproteins are also considered. Selected examples of glycoconjugate participation in cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions are presented with emphasis on systems in which structures of functionally important glycosyl moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids have been determined. Where available, cases of altered cell adhesive behavior attributable to transformation-associated alterations in glycosylation of adhesion molecules are cited.