2-DIMENSIONAL CHROMATOGRAPHY IN THE ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX GLYCANS FROM TRANSFERRIN

Oligosaccharides released from human transferrin have been derivatized with 2-aminoacridone (2-AMAC) prior to analysis by either reversed- o r normal-phase highperformance liquid chromatography. These separation methods are complementary and allow distinction between isomeric mono - and disialylated oligosaccharides, which terminate with Sia alpha 2- 6Gal or Sia alpha 2-3Gal at the nonreducing end. Collected fractions o f 2-AMAC-derivatized glycans were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser de sorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, before and after desialylation.