Glycan analysis via derivatization with a fluorogenic pyrylium dye

The expansion of glycomics analysis is reliant upon the development of robust, routine methods for carbohydrate characterization. Simple protocols to derivatize sugars with functionality that facilitate analysis—chromophores, fluorophores, charges, ionizable groups—are therefore necessary. Here we describe a method for the labeling of oligosaccharide mixtures with a fluorogenic pyrylium dye to enable analysis by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS). The unreacted free dye, Py-1, is effectively non-fluorescent but when conjugated to the analyte it displays strong fluorescence at 600–640 nm. Removal of excess dye following labeling is not required prior to analysis unlike for many traditional oligosaccharide labels. Labeling is achieved in two steps; the oligosaccharide mixtures are first functionalized with an ethylenediamine moiety via reductive amination at the reducing-end sugar, then the remaining free primary amine is reacted with the pyrylium dye (Py-1) under basic conditions to form a pyridinium ion. We have labeled mixtures of maltooligosaccharides and observed good peak separation in CE analysis using a SDS/borate pH 9.3 running buffer. Excellent sensitivity in MALDI-ToF-MS analysis enabled detection of oligosaccharides with up to 58 glucose units.

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► Maltooligosaccharides are derivatized with a fluorogenic pyrylium dye.
► The introduction of a permanent positive charge enables sensitive detection using MALDI-ToF-MS.
► CE analysis of oligosaccharide mixtures gives good separation and high sensitivity.