Glycomics and analysis of glycan structures

This chapter focuses on glycomics and provides an analysis of glycan structures. The analysis of glycomes provides a basis for understanding the functions of glycans in cell differentiation and disease. The analysis of glycans on specific glycoproteins and glycolipids is needed to establish their roles as targets for receptor binding. This chapter surveys the most commonly used methods for glycan structure determination and oligosaccharide synthesis, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), glycosidases, and mass spectrometry. Because common sets of glycans are attached to many glycoproteins, the structures that are present can often be identified through routine profiling. Lectins and antibodies can also be used to detect specific sugar structures and are particularly useful for localizing glycans in cells and tissues. Experimental and bioinformatics approaches are being developed to link this information to knowledge about the enzymes that synthesize the glycans and the glycan-binding receptors that recognize them.