Introduction
Glycosphingolipids are amphiphilic composed of a ceramide backbone (hydrophobic) and a glycan head (hydrophilic), and
are ubiquitous glycoconjugates on cell membranes. They play important roles in many biological processes, such as
cell adhesion, embryonic development, signal transduction and carcinogenesis. It is well known that the abnormal
expression of glycosphingolipids is associated with numerous diseases and can be used as a potential therapeutic
target of disease biomarkers. Therefore, the analysis and characterization of glycosphingolipids is of great value
in science.
Mass spectrometry has become a powerful tool, it has become the preferred method for characterizing a large number of
GSLs, especially when combined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Which helps in the structural analysis
and quantification of glycosphingolipids, and can completely analyze glycosphingolipids while providing sequence of
glycans and composition of lipid moieties.
Fig. 1. General
workflow to extract and isolate glycosphingolipids. (Barrientos RC, et al., 2020)
Our Services
Mass spectrometry has become an important tool for structural characterization and quantitative analysis of
glycosphingolipids. With first-class mass spectrometry experience, Creative Proteomics has
successfully established an advanced glycosphingolipid analysis platform. We look forward to becoming your
right-hand assistant in glycosphingolipid research .
Glycosphingolipids are low in content and ionize inefficiently compared to other lipids, especially heavily
glycosylated ones. Therefore, our scientists usually use a permethylation strategy for labeling during analysis to
enhance the volatility and sensitivity of the analyte. Corresponding quantitative analysis was then carried out by
ESI-MS or MALDI-MS.
At Creative Proteomics, our scientists develop a complete workflow for the analysis of
glycosphingolipids. You only need to tell us the purpose of your experiment and send your samples to us, we will
take care of all the follow-up matters of the project.
- Extraction and purification of glycosphingolipids from tissues, organs or biological fluids.
- Release of glycosphingolipoglycans by endoceramidase.
- Permethylation of glycosphingolipids.
- 2AB labeling-UPLC-HILIC-FLD analysis.
- Analysis of permethylated glycosphingolipids by MALDI-TOF MS or ESI-MS.
*Note, Creative Proteomics also provide MS/MS method for structural analysis of glycosphingolipids,
based on the predictability of cleavage pathways, to identify known and unknown glycosphingolipids by matching
experimental MS/MS spectra with database.
Here, we can provide but not limited to.
- Quantitative analysis of glycosphingolipid markers.
- Qualitative analysis of glycosphingolipid markers.
- Structural analysis of glycosphingolipids.
- Analysis of glycosphingolipoglycans.
- Glycosphingolipid-protein interactions.
Advantages of Our Glycosphingolipid Analysis Services
- High throughput, low cost and easy implementation.
- High detection sensitivity due to full methylation labeling.
- Professional advice directly from our glycosphingolipid analysis scientists
- Fast turnaround time.
- Customized services according to your samples types and requirements.
Sample Requirements
- Tissue: 1.0-500 mg.
- Cell > 1×106 cells.
- Biological fluids: 1.0-100 μL.
The ICH Q6B guideline requires comprehensive characterization of glycoprotein glycosylation. With years of experience
and an experienced scientific team, Creative Proteomics provides diverse and systematic
glycosphingolipid analysis service. Additionally, we can provide fully custom project designs to meet any specific
requirements. If you are interested, please contact us or send us an
inquiry directly.
References
- Barrientos R C, Zhang Q. (2020) Recent advances in the mass spectrometric analysis of glycosphingolipidome - A
review. Anal Chim Acta. 1132:134-155.
- Du H, Yu H, Yang F, et al. (2021). Comprehensive analysis of glycosphingolipid glycans by lectin
microarrays and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Nat Protoc. 16(7):3470-3491.
