DNA-mediated cell surface engineering for multiplexed glycan profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Glycans play vital roles in biological processes, and their alterations are linked to diseases.
• Sensitive and multiplexed glycan analysis is crucial for understanding these roles and disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel DNA-mediated cell surface engineering strategy for glycan profiling.
• To overcome limitations of direct glycan analysis, such as complex composition and low ionization efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing lectin binding to capture glycans on cell surfaces.
• Employing DNA amplification and hybridization to label glycans with specific DNA probes.
• Releasing, ionizing, and detecting DNA probes via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS).

Main Results:

• Successfully converted glycan analysis to DNA probe detection, simplifying the process.
• Achieved enhanced sensitivity through DNA amplification, enabling *in situ* detection.
• Demonstrated multiplexed glycan analysis and evaluated glycomic alterations in cancer cells.
• Applied the method to MALDI imaging mass spectrometry for intrinsic glycan distribution in tissues.

Conclusions:

• The DNA-mediated approach offers a sensitive, multiplexed, and efficient method for cell surface glycan profiling.
• This technique facilitates the study of glycomic alterations in diseases like cancer and provides spatial glycan information in tissues.