Molecular recognition on glycans interaction in cell membrane by atomic force microscopy

Glycans, also known as polysaccharides/saccharides/carbohydrates, commonly found in biological cell membrane/wall, and play important biological functions. Biomolecular recognition on the cell surface is governed by molecular interactions, making direct measurement essential for understanding biological processes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is the only microscopy technique that provides images in aqueous media with nanometer resolution, which greatly facilitates the specific recognition of macromolecules on the cell surface. Moreover, single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) based on AFM has been commonly employed to investigate interactions between proteins and other molecules. However, there are fewer reviews on glycan molecular recognition. Therefore, this review focuses on the molecular recognition between glycans and cell membranes using AFM, covering glycans-receptor interactions and the important roles of glycans on the cell membrane. Finally, strategies for enhancing the study of molecular recognition between glycans and cell membranes through AFM are prospected and with the aims to address biomedical challenges and discover novel biomolecules.