Glycosaminoglycan glycomics using mass spectrometry

Mol Cell Proteomics. 2013 Apr;12(4):885-92. doi: 10.1074/mcp.R112.026294. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

Abstract

The fact that sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are necessary for the functioning of all animal physiological systems drives the need to understand their biology. This understanding is limited, however, by the heterogeneous nature of GAG chains and their dynamic spatial and temporal expression patterns. GAGs have a regulated structure overlaid by heterogeneity but lack the detail necessary to build structure/function relationships. In order to provide this information, we need glycomics platforms that are sensitive, robust, high throughput, and information rich. This review summarizes progress on mass-spectrometry-based GAG glycomics methods. The areas covered include disaccharide analysis, oligosaccharide profiling, and tandem mass spectrometric sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Glycomics
  • Glycosaminoglycans / chemistry*
  • Glycosaminoglycans / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • Glycosaminoglycans