LC-MS analysis of protein glycosylation

摘要

Glycosylation is involved in many regulatory and developmental processes.Glycoproteins and other glyco-conjugates at the cell surface modify cell adhesion and plasticity and are markers of cell activation and differentiation.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has become a valuable tool for the analysis of the carbohydrate chains occurring on glycoproteins.LC-MS methods are now available for the study of both released glycans (native and derivatised) and glycopep-tides obtained by proteinase treatment of a glycoprotein sample.Advanced MS techniques provide valuable information on glycan structure and/or attachment site.When analyses are performed with a nano-scale column (reverse phase,graphitised carbon,or normal phase) sensitivities are at the low femtomole level.A detailed picture of the glycosylation of a glycoprotein sample can be obtained rapidly in this way.