Oligosaccharide sequence, antithrombin-binding

Although anionic density appears to be a necessary condition for anticoagulancy, it is not sufficient, since chains which lack an antithrombin-binding oligosaccharide sequence show little or no anticoagulant activity. Just as clearly, antithrombin binding itself is not a sufficient condition, since these sequences show no anticoagulant activity themselves. 

Effects of oligosaccharides on the biological functions of proteins (15 examples). The capacity for homophilic binding of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM, Section 12.5.3) is modulated by the extension of its polysialic chains. The binding of a highly specific heparin pentasaccharide sequence to the protein antithrombin III converts it to a potent anticoagulant (Section 17.3). 

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