Glycosylated major urinary protein of the house mouse: characterization ofits N-linked oligosaccharides

A minor component of the major urinary protein complex of the house mouse w as chromatographically isolated and ascertained to be a previously suspecte d glycoprotein. Using highly sensitive mass-spectrometric techniques for se quencing and linkage analysis, the N-linked oligosaccharides of this glycop rotein were characterized. They were determined to be of the complex type w ith a wide heterogeneity. The heterogeneity was due to both the degree of s ialylation and the presence of galactose residues in either beta(1-3) or be ta(1-4) linkages. The biantennary structures were the most pronounced glyca ns, while tri- and tetraantennary entities were minor.