This protocol shows how to obtain a detailed glycan compositional and structural profile from purified glycoproteins or protein mixtures, and it can be used to distinguish different isobaric glycan isomers. Glycoproteins are immobilized on PVDF membranes before the N-glycans are enzymatically released by PNGase F, isolated and reduced. Subsequently, O-glycans are chemically released from the same protein spot by reductive β-elimination. After desalting with cation exchange microcolumns, the glycans are separated and analyzed by porous graphitized carbon liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Optionally, the glycans can be treated with sialidases or other specific exoglycosidases to yield more detailed structural information. The sample preparation takes approximately 4 d, with a heavier workload on days 2 and 3, and a lighter load on days 1 and 4. The time for data interpretation depends on the complexity of the samples analyzed. This method can be used in conjunction with the analysis of enriched glycopeptides by capillary/nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS, which together provide detailed information regarding the site heterogeneity of glycosylation.
The O‐glycosylation of Ser and Thr by N‐acetylgalactosamine‐linked (mucin‐type) oligosaccharides is often overlooked in protein analysis. Three characteristics make O‐linked glycosylation more difficult to analyse than N‐linked glycosylation, namely: (a) no amino acid consensus sequence is known; (b) there is no universal enzyme for the release of O‐glycans from the protein backbone; and (c) the density and number of occupied sites may be very high. For significant biological conclusions to be drawn, the complete picture of O‐linked glycosylation on a protein needs to be determined. This review specifically addresses the analytical approaches that have been used, and the challenges remaining, in the characterization of both the composition and structure of mucin‐type O‐glycans, and the determination of the occupancy and heterogeneity at each amino acid attachment site.
The comprehensive analysis of protein glycosylation is a major requirement for understanding glycoprotein function in biological systems, and is a prerequisite for producing recombinant glycoprotein therapeutics. This protocol describes workflows for the characterization of glycopeptides and their site-specific heterogeneity, showing examples of the analysis of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), α1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) and immunoglobulin (IgG). Glycoproteins of interest can be proteolytically digested either in solution or in-gel after electrophoretic separation, and the (glyco)peptides are analyzed by capillary/nano-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). If required, specific glycopeptide enrichment steps, such as hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), can also be performed. Particular emphasis is placed on data interpretation and the determination of site-specific glycan heterogeneity. The described workflow takes approximately 3-5 d, including sample preparation and data analysis. The data obtained from analyzing released glycans of rHuEPO and IgG, described in the second protocol of this series (10.1038/nprot.2012.063), provide complementary detailed glycan structural information that facilitates characterization of the glycopeptides.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.