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Preparation of Complex Glycans From Natural Sources for Functional Study
Qing Zhang1, Zhonghua Li1, Xuezheng Song1
1Department of Biochemistry, Emory Comprehensive Glycomics Core, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Frontiers in Chemistry
|July 29, 2020
Summary
Researchers review methods for preparing complex glycans from natural sources, overcoming a key barrier in glycoscience. These techniques enable larger quantities of glycans for vital biomedical research and functional studies.
Area of Science:
- Glycoscience
- Biomedical Research
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
Background:
- A significant challenge in glycoscience is the limited availability of diverse, complex glycans for functional studies.
- Natural sources offer a valuable alternative to difficult chemoenzymatic synthesis for obtaining these essential molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review established and novel methods for preparing complex glycans from various glycoconjugates.
- To highlight advancements in large-scale glycan preparation from natural sources.
- To discuss techniques for glycan functionalization, fluorescent tagging, and isolation.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic release of glycans from natural glycoconjugates.
- Chemical release of glycans from natural glycoconjugates.
- Development of novel technologies for large-scale glycan preparation.
- Application of functional and fluorescent tagging methods.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for glycan isolation.
Main Results:
- Established and emerging methods for complex glycan preparation from natural sources are discussed.
- Novel technologies facilitate the large-scale production of glycans.
- Effective techniques for glycan tagging and purification are presented.
Conclusions:
- The review provides a comprehensive overview of complex glycan preparation strategies.
- Advancements in glycan isolation and functionalization support further research in glycoscience.
- Natural sources are crucial for obtaining sufficient quantities of complex glycans for biomedical applications.
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