High-Resolution, 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy as a Tool in the Structural Analysis of Carbohydrates Related to Glycoproteins

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of high-resolution, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to the structural analysis of carbohydrates related to glycoproteins. Glycoproteins are biopolymers consisting of a polypeptide backbone bearing one or more covalently linked carbohydrate chains. The carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins may be classified according to the type of linkage to the polypeptide backbone. N-Glycosylic chains are attached to the amide group of asparagine (Asn), whereas the O-glycosylic chains are linked to the hydroxyl group of amino acid residues such as serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), and hydroxylysine (Hyl). The high-resolution, 1H-NMR spectroscopy technique, in conjunction with methylation analysis, is extremely suitable for the structural studies of N-, as well as on O-, glycosylic glycans. For the interpretation of the 1H-NMR spectrum of a carbohydrate chain in terms of primary structural assignments, the concept of “structural reporter groups” was developed. This means that the chemical shifts of protons resonating at clearly distinguishable positions in the spectrum, together with their coupling constants and the line widths of their signals, bear the information essential to permit the assigning of the primary structure. This chapter presents literature data on the high-resolution, 1H-NMR spectroscopy of carbohydrates derived from glycoconjugates. It also discusses the results for carbohydrates related to the glycoproteins of N-glycosylic type.