Recent advances in analytical methods and bioinformatic tools for quantitative glycomics

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Glycans play crucial roles in biological processes.
• Quantitative glycomics aids in discovering disease-associated glycosylation patterns for clinical applications.
• This field faces challenges in automation and standardization compared to other omics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in analytical methods and software for mass spectrometry-based quantitative glycomics.
• To focus on N- and O-glycosylation quantification.
• To emphasize quantitative data interpretation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of stable isotopic labeling, isobaric labeling, label-free, and fluorescence labeling strategies.
• Discussion of novel derivatization methods and advanced techniques for glycan quantification.
• Emphasis on software advancements for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Numerous advancements in analytical methods and software have been made in the last five years.
• New techniques enable high-throughput, sensitive, and accurate glycan quantification.
• Current methods often require manual inspection due to variations in derivatization and structural identification challenges.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative glycomics is a promising tool for clinical biomarker discovery.
• Despite progress, challenges in sample preparation, structural characterization, and automated data interpretation persist.
• Further advancements are crucial for comprehensive and accurate glycan quantification across diverse applications.