Glycan Structure Analysis Service

Glycan structures are complex molecules made up of monosaccharides connected through specific glycosidic bonds in various ways. Their diversity is reflected not only in the types of monosaccharides and linkage sites but also in branching patterns and spatial conformations. The complexity of glycan structures surpasses that of proteins and nucleic acids and serves as a crucial foundation for cellular recognition, signal transduction, and immune regulation in various biological processes. Through advanced technological platforms and bioinformatics methods, glycan structures can be comprehensively analyzed, providing strong support for the in-depth understanding of the diversity and functions of glycosylation modifications.

 

Glycan structure analysis service has broad applications across multiple fields. In glycomics research, this service helps reveal the relationship between glycan structure and function. In biopharmaceutical quality control, it ensures the consistency and stability of glycan composition and modifications. In food and nutrition sciences, it can be used to analyze the structural characteristics of carbohydrates in food, ensuring product quality and standardization. In plant and agricultural research, it helps explore the impact of glycan structures on plant growth and stress resistance, driving crop improvement and agricultural development.

 



Sigvard, O. et al. Annual Review of Virology, 2023.

Figure 1. Structures of O-Gglycans Occurring in Viral Glycoproteins.

 

Services at MtoZ Biolabs

Based on advanced technology and analytical platforms, MtoZ Biolabs' glycan structure analysis service provides comprehensive analysis of glycan structures in samples. This service can accurately analyze the monosaccharide composition, linkage type, branching pattern, and spatial conformation of glycans. Combined with bioinformatics methods, it provides both qualitative and quantitative data. The final results include the glycan types, structural features, and distribution information across different samples, offering reliable data support for glycosylation research, quality control, and functional studies. The service can be performed using the following methods:

 

1. Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) technology, glycans are separated and detected, allowing for precise analysis of their composition, linkage types, and branching structures. This method is suitable for in-depth analysis of complex samples.

 

2. Microarray Analysis

Using a glycan microarray platform, different types of glycans are immobilized on a chip and interact with the molecules of interest. This method quickly provides information on the binding characteristics and functionality of glycans, making it ideal for high-throughput screening and comparative analysis.

 

Analysis Workflow

1. Sample Preparation

The sample is pretreated to remove impurities, ensuring the integrity of the glycan and providing a reliable foundation for subsequent structural analysis.

 

2. Glycan Release and Purification

Glycans are released from glycoproteins, glycosphingolipids, and other samples through enzymatic or chemical methods, followed by the use of specific purification techniques to isolate the target glycans.

 

3. Separation

High-efficiency separation of glycans is performed using Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Capillary Electrophoresis (CE), minimizing impurity interference and ensuring clear separation of glycan components.

 

4. Mass Spectrometry or Microarray Analysis

High-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) is used to analyze the composition and structural characteristics of glycans, or glycan microarrays are employed to detect their binding characteristics and functionality.

 

5. Data Interpretation and Report Generation

Bioinformatics tools are used to interpret the analysis results, generating a detailed report that provides comprehensive information on glycan structure and distribution.

 

Sample Submission Suggestions

1. Sample Types

Applicable to various biological samples containing glycan components, including glycoproteins, cell lysates, tissue extracts, serum, plasma, etc. Samples can be in liquid or solid form, but the integrity of the glycan structure must be maintained.

 

2. Sample Purity

It is recommended to remove impurities as much as possible to reduce interference and improve analysis accuracy. For complex samples, preliminary impurity removal is suggested to ensure data reliability.

 

3. Sample Storage and Transportation

Samples should be stored and transported under low temperature conditions. Liquid samples can be transported using ice packs or dry ice, while solid samples should be sealed and protected from moisture. To ensure accurate analysis results, it is advised to keep the samples frozen or chilled throughout the process.

 

Service Advantages

1. High-Resolution Detection

Relying on advanced Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) technologies, this service can precisely analyze the structural composition of glycans, ensuring high accuracy and reliability of the analysis results.

 

2. Comprehensive Structural Analysis

Detailed information such as monosaccharide composition, linkage types, branching patterns, and modification characteristics of glycans is provided, helping researchers fully understand glycan structures.

 

3. Customized Solutions

Personalized analysis strategies are provided based on the customer's research objectives and sample characteristics, offering flexible solutions to meet diverse research needs.

 

4. One-Stop Service

A complete one-stop service is provided, from sample processing, glycan extraction, separation, and analysis to data interpretation and report generation, simplifying the experimental process and enhancing research efficiency.

 

Applications

1. Biological Mechanism Research

Glycan structure analysis service can be used to study the three-dimensional structure and conformational features of glycans, revealing their functional mechanisms in molecular interactions, signal regulation, and the cellular microenvironment.

 

2. Evolution and Diversity Research

By comparing the glycan structures of different species or tissues, this service analyzes the diversity and evolutionary characteristics of carbohydrates, providing support for evolutionary biology and systematics research.

 

3. Industrial Production Optimization

In fermentation, food processing, and biomanufacturing, this service can be used to monitor changes in glycan structures, optimizing production processes and enhancing product performance and stability.

 

4. Environmental and Microbiological Research

Glycan structure analysis service can be used to analyze the glycan structures in environmental samples or microbial populations, studying their roles in ecosystem stability, microbial interactions, and environmental adaptation.

 

FAQ

Q1: What Is the Difference between Glycan Structure Analysis and Quantitative Analysis?

A1: Structure analysis focuses on examining the monosaccharide composition, linkage positions, and three-dimensional conformation of glycans, while quantitative analysis emphasizes the content and relative abundance of different glycans or modifications in a sample. Combining both methods provides more comprehensive data.

 

Q2: Will the Analysis Process Damage the Glycan Structure?

A2: No. The analysis uses gentle enzymatic digestion, separation, and detection methods to maintain the integrity of the glycans while enhancing sensitivity and resolution, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the natural state of the glycans.