A versatile technology for cellular glycomics using lectin microarray

All cells in nature are covered with a dense and complex array of glycans. The total glycan repertoire expressed on cells, "the cellular glycome," varies at every level of biological organization, and in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. The cellular glycome is often referred to as the "cell face," which reflects the condition and type of the cell. In other words, cells can be discriminated in detail by characterization of their individual cellular glycome. Based on this concept, we describe our strategy for profiling the cellular glycome using lectin microarray followed by lectin-based cell discrimination using Chinese hamster ovary cells and their glycosylation-defective mutants (Lec1, Lec2, and Lec8) as models. The results add to the understanding and applications of "Cellular Glycomics."