Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Immunoglobulin G N-Glycan Analysis by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Published on: January 18, 2020
Human serum N-glycan profiles are age and sex dependent
Ning Ding1, Huan Nie, Xuemei Sun
1Department of Life Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 92, West Da-Zhi Street, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Background:
protein glycosylation varies with the physiological and pathological status of the cell. Consequently, analysis of protein-linked glycans has growing importance both in basic glycobiological research and as a potential tool for monitoring the physiological state in humans.
Design, Setting And Participants:
a total of 265 healthy northern Chinese men and women were grouped by age and gender. The mean age in males and females was similar.
Objective:
the study is aimed to evaluate the effects of the age and gender on the human serum N-glycans profiles in the clinical diagnose of ageing and disease.
Methods:
the 265 human serum N-glycan profiles were obtained by DNA sequencer-assisted fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Comparison of N-glycan profiles was carried out among the different genders and age groups and the data were analysed with the GeneMapper software.
Results:
age-related changes in the three N-glycan structures (NGA2F, NGA2FB and NA2F) were observed. Interestingly, fucosylation of N-glycans was significantly different (P < 0.0001) between men and women: more core-α-1,6-fucosylated glycans were detected in women, whereas more branching-α-1,3-fucosylated N-glycans were seen in men.
Conclusions:
the N-glycome profile in serum is gender and age dependent. This should be taken into consideration in the development of serum glycome markers.
Related Concept Videos
Proteoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Oligosaccharide Assembly
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
