ABSTRACT
G lycodelin has many names in the literature, such as placental protein 14 (PP14), human placental organ-specific a2-globulin, or progesterone-dependent endometrial protein, based on electrophoretic characteristics, regulation, or tissue o f first identi fication. After detailed information became available on its sites o f synthesis, primary structure, complex-type oligosaccharide structures and biological actions, the protein was renamed as Zglycodelin[ to highlight significance o f its unique oligosaccharide moieties for biological activity.5'7 Based on structural similarity with β -lactoglobulins8 containing a retinol-binding motif9 glycodelin is the major lipocalin protein o f the reproductive axis with diverse actions in cell recognition and differentiation. Due to its unique oligosaccharide moieties affecting biological functions glycodelin serves as a model in studies on functional glycomics in a number o f clinical areas.
