glycocalyx
nounEtymology From glyco- + calyx.
1
Anatomy, Biology, Medicine, Natural sciences, Sciences A filamentous coating of glycoprotein and polysaccharide on the surface of bacteria and some other cells.
- Blood platelets and megakaryocytes from which they arise, both have ruthenium red positive glycocalyces in the form of globular particles; ruthenium red is known to react strongly with chondroitin sulphate.1976, L. T. Threadgold, The Ultrastructure of the Animal Cell, 2nd edition, Pergamon Press, page 146:
- The microvilli are in turn covered with a velvety meshwork made of countless sugar-based structures that look a little bit like antlers. These are called the glycocalyxes.2015, Giulia Enders, translated by David Shaw, Gut, Scribe, published 2016, page 36:
2 more examples
- 2016, V. C. Hascall, P. H. Weigel, B. P. Toole, Hyalurolan, Ralph A. Bradshaw, Philip D. Stahl, Gerald W. Hart (editors), Encyclopedia of Cell Biology, Volume 1: Molecular Cell Biology, Elesvier (Academic Press), page 280, Most cells are able to dynamically synthesize hyaluronan and form cell-associated glycocalyces that include chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (e.g., versican and aggrecan) bound to the hyaluronan (Figure 4).
- In cancer, the glycocalyxes of circulating tumor cells play a fundamental role in the metastatic process.2017, Stefania Marcotti, Gwendolen C. Reilly, “3: Sugar-Coating the Cell: The Role of the Glycocalyx in Mechanobiology”, in Simon C. F. Rawlinson, editor, Mechanobiology: Exploitation for Medical Benefit, Wiley, page 44: