ENZYMATIC RELEASE OF OLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM GLYCOPROTEINS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHIC AND ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS

For most separations-based analyses of glycoprotein oligosaccharides, the first step is release of the oligosaccharides from the polypeptide . Historically, O-linked and N-linked oligosaccharides have been relea sed from glycoproteins using chemical means, such as alkaline degradat ion (beta-elimination) or hydrazinolysis. In the last two decades, a g rowing repertoire of enzymes, including endoglycosidases and glycoamid ases, able to release glycoprotein oligosaccharides under mild conditi ons, have become available. This review traces the discovery, characte rization and use of these glycoprotein oligosaccharide releasing enzym es. Emphasis is placed on providing information of practical value for the researcher wishing to incorporate enzymatic oligosaccharide relea se into their study of glycoprotein oligosaccharide structure and func tion.