Generation of Asparagine-Linked Glycan Structure Databases and their Use

Asparagine linked glycans (N-glycans) are important in biological processes. Yet, their structural complexity and lack of databases hinder progress in glycomics and glycobiology. We present a way for in silico generation of very large N-glycan structure databases and their use in high throughput composition and primary structure determination of N-glycans attached to peptides, based on CID (collision induced dissociation) MS/MS (tandem mass spectrometric data). The database and the integrated search engine is called Glyquest and is available to the glycomics community.

Graphical AbstractIn silico generation of very large N-glycan structure databases and an integrated search engine for automatic N-glycan structure determinations based on MS/MS spectra of glycopeptides.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (101 K)Download as PowerPoint slide