Definition:
Glycoproteins are small molecules found on the outside surface of all body cells. Different types of cells have specific, unique types of glycoproteins attached to them.
Glycoproteins are vital to a number of important biological functions. They allow certain types of cell-to-cell communication, help coordinate complicated cellular responses to stimuli, and activate the action of other types of cells.
A number of medications have been developed which target the glycoproteins found on specific types of cells. Disrupting these glycoproteins leads to a desired decrease in some type of cellular activity.
