Glycoprotein changes during the development of human brain

Brain glycoprotein sugars were studied during human brain development. Marked changes were found in the sugar content of glycopeptides derived from soluble and insoluble glycoproteins, showing a general decrease in the soluble and an increase in the insoluble fraction. The data indicate that changes in glycan moiety and/or in glycoprotein population occur during development. The existence of a‘critical period’in glycoprotein development which coincides with the formation of axonal and synaptic membranes sprouting has been established (Dobbing, 1971). Copyright © 1978, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved