Systematic analysis of N-linked sugar chains from whole tissue employing partial automation

A partially automated technique for the isolation and characterization of N-linked sugar chains from glycoproteins of crude tissue samples is established. The N-linked sugar chains from the acetone-extracted tissues are made free by a process of hydrazinolysis and subsequently N-acetylated by GlycoPrep 1000 (Oxford Glycosystems). These free sugar chains are further converted to pyridylamino derivatives by GlycoTag (Takara). Characterization of these sugar chains is achieved by a combination of HPLC columns using a highly sensitive fluorescence detector at femtomole levels. Tissue sample can be successfully pyridylaminated and analyzed to give highly reproducible results with consistent yield, requiring fewer purification steps, minimum skills, and less time. Moreover, fixed tissues can also be analyzed employing this technique, giving a similar sugar chain pattern compared to normal tissue samples. Using this method we show that the pattern of N-linked sugar chains present in human sera or in one small region of brain is strikingly similar among the different individuals. However, the absence of a highlighted peak in one of the samples suggests this method can be extrapolated to identify changes, if any, associated with disorders such as inflammation or cancer. Furthermore, this two-dimensional display of sugar chains would discover the function-specific molecules as we see in proteins.