TABLE 50.1.

Table of enzymes for glycan analysis

EC numberSpecificity (cleavage target)Analytical uses
Endoglycosidases
Endoglycosidase H (Endo H)3.2.1.96between the two GlcNAc residues in the core of oligomannose or hybrid N-glycansdetection of N-glycosylation; release of glycans
Endoglycosidase F2 (Endo F)3.2.1.96between the two GlcNAc residues in the core of oligomannose or biantennary N-glycansdetection of N-glycosylation; release of glycans
Peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F), or glycopeptidase F3.5.1.52between Asn and oligomannose, complex, or hybrid N-glycans; requires at least one amino acid at both the amino terminal and carboxy terminal of Asnmay not work if core is α1-3-fucosylated
Peptide-N-glycosidase A (PNGase A), or glycopeptidase A3.5.1.52between Asn and oligomannose, complex, or hybrid N-glycans; requires at least one amino acid at both the amino terminal and carboxy terminal of Asnwill work if core is α1-3-fucosylated; efficacy for use on mammalian glycoproteins poorly defined
Endo-β-galactosidases3.2.1.102between Gal and GlcNAc in poly-N-acetyllactosminesdetection of poly-N-acetyllactosamines and some keratan sulfates
Endoneuraminidases (endo-α-sialidase)3.2.1.129between Sia units of polysialic acidsdetection of polysialic acids
Endo-α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (O-glycanase)3.2.1.97Galβ-GalNAcα- from serine or threoninedetects O-glycosidation. May need prior treatment with other enzymes to expose the disaccharide core
Exoglycosidases
Sialidases, neuraminidases3.2.1.18nonreducing terminal Sia
Fucosidase3.2.1.51nonreducing terminal Fucsome types and linkages can be resistant
α1-2 Fucosidase3.2.1.63nonreducing terminal Fuc-linked α1-2
β-Galactosidase3.2.1.23nonreducing terminal β-Gal
α-Mannosidase3.2.1.24nonreducing terminal α-Man
Glycosaminoglycan Lyases
Chondroitinase ABC4.2.2.4chondroitin sulfates A and C and dermatan sulfate to disaccharidesdetection and characterization of chondroitins, purification of other glycosaminoglycans
Chondroitinase AC4.2.2.5chondroitin sulfates A and C to disaccharidesdetection and characterization of chondroitins A and C
Chondroitinase B4.2.2.19dermatan sulfate (chondroitin sulfate B) to disaccharidesdetection and characterization of dermatan sulfate
Heparinase, heparin lyase, Heparinase I4.2.2.7between N-sulfated glucosamine and 2-O-sulfated iduronate residues.detection and characterization of heparin and heparan sulfate
Heparin sulfate lyase, heparinase III (also called Heparitinase I), Heparinase II4.2.2.8between GlcNAc and GlcA residues. Heparinase I, II, and III often used in combination.detection and characterization of heparin and heparan sulfate
Keratanase3.2.1.103between Gal and GlcAdetection and characterization of keratan sulfate
Keratanase II3.2.1.103between 6-O-sulfated GlcNAc and Gal (±6-O-sulfate)detection and characterization of keratan sulfate

EC, Enzyme Commission.

From: Chapter 50, Structural Analysis of Glycans

Cover of Essentials of Glycobiology
Essentials of Glycobiology [Internet]. 3rd edition.
Varki A, Cummings RD, Esko JD, et al., editors.
Cold Spring Harbor (NY): Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; 2015-2017.
Copyright 2015-2017 by The Consortium of Glycobiology Editors, La Jolla, California. All rights reserved.

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