Enzymatic analysis of cell surface lactosaminyl glycans by flow cytometry

Cell surface expressed lactosaminyl glycans were determined on live cells by flow cytometry using a sialyltransferase mediated labeling procedure. Fluorescent CMP-sialic acid and Gal beta 1,4GlcNAc alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase were applied to probe expression of acceptor glycans on untreated or sialidase pretreated erythrocytes. After enzymatic fluorescence labeling, erythrocytes were treated with endo-beta-galactosidase or trypsin to distinguish polylactosaminyl- and complex-type glycans. The expression of lactosaminyl sequences on cord- was 20% lower than on adult cells. After sialidase treatment fluorescence incorporation on both cell types increased twofold compared to untreated cells indicating a low sialylation extent. A recombinant alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase was preferentially labeling polylactosaminyl glycans. Taking advantage of the different fine specificity as determined here, alpha 2,6- and alpha 2,3-sialyltransferase can be applied to distinguish certain types of lactosaminyl glycans.