LC-MS-Based Analytical Strategies for Ganglioside Profiling

Gangliosides, a class of glycosphingolipids containing sialic acid residues, are abundantly expressed in neuronal membranes and play essential roles in cellular signaling and intercellular communication. Impaired ganglioside metabolism contributes to the pathogenesis of lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The structural diversity and functional relevance of gangliosides necessitate analytical methods with high sensitivity, resolution, and specificity. In recent years, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has emerged as a powerful tool for comprehensive ganglioside profiling. This review presents current LC-MS-based strategies for ganglioside analysis, with a particular focus on sample preparation methods, chromatographic separation techniques, and mass spectrometric approaches aimed at enabling accurate structural elucidation and pathway-level insights into ganglioside metabolism.