A graphical representation of glycan heterogeneity

Glycobiology. 2022 Mar 30;32(3):201-207. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwab116.

Abstract

A substantial shortcoming of large-scale datasets is often the inability to easily represent and visualize key features. This problem becomes acute when considering the increasing technical ability to profile large numbers of glycopeptides and glycans in recent studies. Here, we describe a simple, concise graphical representation intended to capture the microheterogeneity associated with glycan modification at specific sites. We illustrate this method by showing visual representations of the glycans and glycopeptides from a variety of species. The graphical representation presented allows one to easily discern the compositions of all glycans, similarities and differences of modifications found in different samples and, in the case of N-linked glycans, the initial steps in the biosynthetic pathway.

Keywords: N-glycosylation; glycomics; glycoproteomics; mass spectrometry; quantification.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Glycopeptides / chemistry
  • Glycosylation
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Proteomics* / methods
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry* / methods

Substances

  • Glycopeptides
  • Polysaccharides