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GlycoAnalytics Core Service List
Below is the list of regular services offered by our GlycoAnalytics Core. We offer a complimentary 30-min consultation with the Core Director to discuss your project and needs. To obtain a quote and/or inquire about other services that aren't listed below, please contact Dr. Biswa P. Choudhury: glycocore@health.ucsd.edu
Preparations
PRE-001: Mixed N-glycan preparation
N-linked glycan is removed from glycoprotein samples using recombinant PNGase-F kit (P0709S) from NEB. Released N-glycans are applied to tandemly connected Sep-Pak C18 and PGC cartridge equilibrated in water. PGC bound glycans are eluted with 30% acetonitrile containing 0.1% TFA in water, lyophilized and used for further analysis.
PRE-002: Mixed O-glycan preparation
O-linked glycan is released from glycoproteins using reductive beta-elimination method. Samples are incubated with 0.1 M NaOH/1M NaBH4 at 45°C overnight to release O-linked glycans. The samples are neutralized using ice-cold 30% aqueous acetic acid, followed by removal of sodium salts using cation exchange resin. The samples are co-evaporated using methanol/acetic acid to remove excess boric acid, finally the samples are passed over Sep-Pak C18 and the flow through are lyophilized and used for further analysis.
PRE-006: Glycosaminoglycan preparation
The starting material for this procedure is typically tissue or cell pellets. Hard tissues are grinded on liquid nitrogen or soft tissues are homogenized on ice bath on protease treatment buffer. Samples are digested overnight with protease at 37°C and centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant is passed through a DEAE column and the bound glycosaminoglycan (GAG) is eluted with 2M NaCl. The GAG is then desalted on PD10-size exclusion column and purified GAG is lyophilized and used for further analysis.
PRE-009: Extraction of semi-rough or smooth LPS
Harvested bacterial cells is washed by PBS to remove the adhered media. The cells are suspended in water (7 mL water per g of bacterial cell) and sonicated for 1 min to make the cell suspension. The cell suspension is stirred on oil/or water bath maintained at 65°C for 10 min using a magnetic stirrer. 7 mL of 90% phenol is pre-heated to 65°C and added to the aqueous bacterial suspension. The mixture is stirred for 30 min at 65°C and immediately cooled below 10°C on an ice-water bath. The reaction mixture is centrifuged at 4,000 rpm for 40 min at 10°C. The top layer containing Smooth LPS is removed carefully and dialyzed against distilled water for 3-4 days with changing of water each day until the smell of phenol is undetectable. The extracted LPS are treated with DNase/RNase and Proteinase K to remove contaminating nucleic acid and proteins respectively. Finally the LPS are precipitated by ultracentrifugation at 120,000g for 6 hr at 5°C.
PRE-011: Capsular polysaccharide extraction
Cells are shaken with PBS or 1% aqueous phenol for 3 hr at room temperature and centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 20 min at 5°C. Crude CPS is isolated from supernatant by cold absolute ethanol precipitation. CPS is removed by centrifugation at 14000 rpm for 20 min at 5°C. The precipitate is treated with Nuclease and Proteinase K and dialyzed against water. Enzyme treated CPS is further purified by size exclusion chromatography or weak anion exchange chromatography.
PRE-013: Sugar nucleotide extraction
Cells are pelleted by centrifugation washed once in ice-cold phosphate buffered saline and then lysed by brief sonication using cold 50% acetonitrile. The lysed cells are centrifuged at 16000 rpm for 10 min at 4°C to remove insoluble material and the supernatant is dried using speed vacuum. The dried samples are suspended in 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate and sugar nucleotides are purified using EnviCarb graphitized carbon columns (Supelco). The samples are loaded in 10 mM ammonium bicarbonate solution and the column is washed with 3 mL water, finally eluted with 2 mL of 25% acetonitrile, 50 mM TEAA buffer. Eluate is freeze-dried and stored at -80°C prior to analysis.
Modifications
MOD-001: Alditol acetate (AA) derivative for GC-MS
Dry glycan samples are hydrolyzed by 4N TFA at 100°C for 4 hr, followed by removal of the acid by dry nitrogen flush. The acid is removed completely by co-evaporation twice using 1:1 isopropanol:water mixture under dry nitrogen flush. Hydrolyzed samples are reduced overnight by sodium borohydride in 1 M ammonium hydroxide solution. Excess borohydride is neutralized by 30% acetic acid and boric acid is removed as their methyl borate. Samples are finally treated with 1:1 acetic anhydride: pyridine mixture at 100°C for 1 hr. Pyridine and acetic anhydride is removed by nitrogen flush and alditol acetate is extracted with dichloromethane and ready to be injected on GCMS.
MOD-002: Trimethyl silyl (TMS) derivative for GC-MS
Samples should be completely dried before performing TMS derivatization. Samples are methanolyzed using 1 M methanolic hydrochloride at 80°C for 16 hr. Excess acid is removed by dry nitrogen flush, and co-evaporated once with dry methanol. Samples are then re-N-acetylated by 4:1:1 methanol:pyridine:acetic anhydride mixture at 100°C for 1 hr. Reagents are removed by dry nitrogen flush and finally treated with Tri-Sil (Pierce) reagent at 80°C for 30 min. The TMS derivatives of the monosaccharides are extracted with hexane and ready for injection on GC-MS.
MOD-003a: Per-O-methylation (PM) of glycans
The starting material for this procedure should be purified and completely dried glycolipids or glycan. Samples are dissolved in dry DMSO and stirred for several hours until the samples are completely dissolved. Sodium hydroxide slurry in DMSO is added followed by addition of methyl iodide and reacted at room temperature for 45 min. The reaction is stopped adding 1 mL of ice-cold water. The methylated glycans are extracted in using chloroform, dried and used for further analysis.
MOD-003b: Partially methylated alditol acetate (PMAA)
The PM samples from Mod-003a are hydrolyzed using 4N TFA at 100°C for 6 hr. Followed by removal of the acid, reduction using sodium borodeuteride and acetylation as described in MOD-001. The PMAA derivative is then analyzed using GCMS for inter-residue linkage analysis.
MOD-004: Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)
Dried samples are methanolyzed by 1 M methanolic HCl at 80°C for 18 hr. The acid is removed by nitrogen flush, half-saturated sodium chloride is added to the samples and fatty acid methyl ester is extracted using chloroform. The chloroform layer is back extracted with water and dried by nitrogen flush. Fatty acid samples are dissolved in hexane and injected on GC-MS. For determination of hydroxyl fatty acids samples are further treated with Tri-Sil reagent and extracted using hexane.
MOD-005: Mild acid treatment for releasing sialic acid
Samples are treated with 2 M acetic acid at 80°C for 3 hr followed by removal of excess acid using speed vacuum. Depending upon the sample type hydrolyzed samples may need further purification by 3K MWCO spin filtrations.
MOD-006: De-O-acetylation of glycans
De-O-acetylation of glycans is achieved by treating the samples with base 50 mM of sodium hydroxide at room temperature for 3 hr or by treatment with anhydrous hydrazine. Sodium hydroxide is neutralized by 30% acetic acid under cold conditioning and the glycan is purified by PD10-size exclusion chromatography. Anhydrous hydrazine treated material is precipitated by cold acetone; the precipitate is washed once more with cold acetone, and dissolved in water and lyophilized.
MOD-007: Enzymatic degradation of chondroitin sulfate (GAG-CS)
Glycosaminoglycans are dissolved in CS digestion buffer and reacted with a cocktail mixture of Chondroitinase ABC at 37°C for 18 hr. Following digestion, the mixture is fractionated using a 10,000 MWCO filter to remove enzyme and undigested glycosaminoglycan chains. The flow through is dried and used for further analysis.
MOD-008: Enzymatic degradation of heparan sulfate and heparin (GAG-HS)
Glycosaminoglycans are dissolved in HS-digestion buffer and reacted with mixture of Heparinase I, II and III at 37°C for 18 hr. Following digestion, the mixture is fractionated using a 10,000 MWCO filter to remove enzyme and undigested glycosaminoglycan chains. The supernatant is dried and used for further analysis.
MOD-009: Isotopic aniline tagging for GAG disaccharide analysis by GRIL-MS
Dried GAG disaccharides are dissolved in aniline and reacted with freshly prepared sodium cyanoborohydride solution in dimethyl sulfoxide: acetic acid mixture (7:3, v/v). Reactions are carried out at 65°C for 1 hr followed by 37°C for 16 hr. The samples are then dried using speed vacuum at room temperature and used for further analysis by glycan reductive isotope labeling (GRIL) LTQ-MS.
MOD-010: 2-Aminobenzamide (2-AB) labeling of glycans
Labeling of glycans with 2-AB requires dried glycans. The samples are reacted with 2-AB dissolved in cyanoborohydride reaction mixture at 65°C for 2.5 hr. Excess reagent was removed from the samples using GlycoClean S-cartridge labeled glycans are dried on a speed vacuum and used for further characterization.
Compositions
COM-001: Monosaccharide analysis by HPAEC-PAD
Measured amount of sample (1-20 µg) are treated with 100 μL of 2 M TFA at 100°C for 4 hr followed by removal of excess acid by dry nitrogen flush. To ensure complete removal of acid the samples are co-evaporated twice with isopropanol at a 1:1 ratio. Finally, the samples are dissolved in water and analyzed by HPAEC-PAD using a CarboPac PA-1, PA-10 or PA-20 column.
COM-002: Uronic acid analysis by HPAEC-PAD
Measured amount of sample (10-30 µg) are treated with 2 M TFA at 100°C for 6 hr followed by removal of excess acid by dry nitrogen flush. To ensure complete removal of acid the samples are co-evaporated twice with isopropanol at a 1:1 ratio. Finally, the samples are dissolved in water and analyzed by HPAEC-PAD using a CarboPac PA-1 column.
COM-003: Sialic acid analysis by HPAEC-PAD
The sample is dissolved in a final concentration of 2 M HOAc and heated to 80°C for 3 hr to release sialic acids. The released sialic acids are collected by ultra-filtration through a 3000 MWCO filter, dried and analyzed by HPAEC-PAD using a Dionex CarboPac PA-1 or PA-20 column. Solvent gradient of sodium acetate is used to separate N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid.
COM-005: RP-HPLC of DMB-sialic acid (determination by fluorescence)
The samples are hydrolyzed using 2 M HOAc at 80°C for 3 hr to release sialic acids. The released sialic acids are purified by spin filtration using 3K MWCO filter and tagged with DMB reagent. The fluorescence-tagged sialic acid derivatives are then analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with online fluorescence detector.
COM-006: GC-MS of TMS derivative
Trimethylsilyl derivatives of methyl glycosides of neutral, acidic and basic monosaccharides are analyzed by GC-MS using Restek-5ms capillary column. TMS sugars are detected from their retention time and by electron impact (EI) mass fragmentation spectrum.
COM-007: GC-MS of AA derivative
Alditol acetate derivative of neutral and amino sugars are separated on Restek-5ms capillary column. AA sugars are detected from their retention time and by electron impact (EI) mass fragmentation spectrum.
COM-008: GC-MS of PMAA derivative (linkage analysis)
PMAA derivative are analyzed by GC-MS using Restek-5ms capillary column. Identifications are achieved by using a combination of retention times and EI mass fragmentation pattern.
COM-009: GC-MS of fatty acids
Fatty acid methyl esters are dissolved in hexane and analyzed by GC-MS using Restek-5ms capillary column. Identifications are achieved by using a combination of retention time and EI mass fragmentation pattern.
COM-010: LTQ Orbitrap-MS (per hour; single run, no sample prep)
Samples are dissolved in suitable solvents to get optimum separation on liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, optimization required for particular sample.
COM-010a: LTQ Orbitrap-MS (per 20 min; single run, no sample prep)
Samples are dissolved in suitable solvents to get optimum separation on liquid chromatography followed by mass spectrometry, optimization required for particular sample.
COM-011: Glycan analysis by LTQ-MS
Glycan samples are separated on suitable column and connected online to the mass spectroscope. Acetonitrile: water mixture containing ammonium formate or formic acid can be used as mobile phase for amino-bonded column and methanol: acetonitrile and water can be used for reverse phase columns. Several ion-pairing reagents compatible with mass spectrometry can also be used, optimization required for particular sample.
COM-012: Nucleotide sugar analysis by HPAEC-UV
The mixture of sugar nucleotide is profiled by anion exchange chromatography using a Dionex PA-1 column equilibrated in either water or 10 mM sodium hydroxide. Separation of nucleotide sugars are achieved by an increasing gradient of sodium acetate concentration. UV detection is performed at 260 nm and matched with authentic standards at a concentration of 0.5-1 nmol.
Profilings
PRO-002: O-Glycan profiling by HPAEC-PAD
O-glycan bearing sialic acid residue or negatively charged glycans profiling is done using Dionex Carbo-Pak PA-1 or PA-100 column. Sodium hydroxide and sodium acetate gradient is used for elution of acidic glycans.
PRO-003: 2-AB-labeled glycan profiling by HPAEC-FL
2-AB-labeled glycans are separated by HPAEC and detected by fluorescence detection using Dionex Carbo-Pak PA-1 or PA-100 column using sodium hydroxide and sodium acetate gradient.
PRO-006: HPLC (per hour; single run, no sample prep)
No sample prep. Hourly charge.
PRO-007: MALDI-TOF profiling of glycans
Depending on glycan types samples are dissolved in suitable solvent and mixed with super-DHB matrix solution in 1:1 (v/v) ratio and spotted on MALDI plate. The samples are dried and analyzed in positive mode or negative mode.
PRO-008: Cellular metabolite analysis
Depending on the nature of the metabolites the samples are analyzed either using Carbo Pak PA-1 or C18 column. Detection is done using UV-detector at 260 nm. Authentic standards are required to identify and quantify the peaks.
PRO-009: GAG disaccharide analysis by GRIL LTQ-MS
Aniline-tagged disaccharides are separated on a C18 column using an ion pairing solvent mixture and analyzed by mass spectrometry in negative ion mode.
Instrument Time
Miscellaneous
MISC-001: Consultation time (per hour)
It is the policy of GlycoAnalytics Core that each project be given a maximum of 30 minutes of discussion at no charge with the Core Director. Additional time for individualized analysis of the issue, help in selecting the best protocol for the isolation, purification and analysis of glycoconjugates and interpretation of data is available through consultation with the Core Director, depending upon available time.
MISC-003: Methods development (per hour)
GlycoAnalytics Core is always willing to do methods development and discover new strategies for analyzing glycans. This can be done upon request; however, the customer must provide consumables as needed. A fee will be charge for the establishment of a new method and the subsequent transfer of the method to the customer.
MISC-007: Training (per hour)
GlycoAnalytics Core staff will train personnel on any of the analyses or preparations we offer, on an hourly basis. All training must be scheduled in advance with the Core Director.
MISC-007a: Training (per day; visitor)
We welcome trainees from other institutions to send trainees to San Diego for more intensive training. You may bring or send your own samples and Core staff will train you to complete your own preparations or analyses. All training must be scheduled in advance with the Core Director.
MISC-008: Additional Staff Time Tech
If the samples you provide need additional preparation, we can provide this service for a fee. Staff time is charged in 15-min increments.