THE CHARACTERISATION OF THE CARBOHYDRATE MOIETIES OF GLYCOPROTEINS AND THE ROLE OF HYDRAZINOLYSIS

Sibel SÜZEN*°

*Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 06100 Tandogan, Ankara, TURKEY.
°Corresponding Author

Summary :
The characterisation of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins requires the prior release of the oligosaccharides from the glycoprotein. The use of hydrazinolysis allows chemical release from glycoproteins of N-linked oligosaccharides but hydrazinolysis of glycopeptides containing serine (or threonine) bound oligosaccharides causes degradation of the oligosaccharides. Although it has been found that by using a lower temperature the degradation can be avoided, complete release of oligosaccharides from mucus glycoproteins which contain large numbers of oligosaccharides chains is still difficult to achieve.

Key words:
Hydrazinolysis, Glycoprotein, Carbohydrate.