The Potentials of Glycomics in Biomarker Discovery

Clinical Proteomics

Richard K. T. Kam¹  Terence C. W. Poon¹ 

[1] Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, ChinaLi Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, ChinaLi Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, China

关键词: Glycomics;    Glycome;    Glycoprotein;    Glycobiomarker;    Quantitative profiling;    Glycosylation;    N-glycan;    O-glycan;    Biomarker research;   

DOI  :  10.1007/s12014-008-9017-9

来源: Humana Press Inc

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Introduction

Glycans have unique characteristics that are significantly different from nucleic acids and proteins in terms of biosynthesis, structures, and functions. Moreover, their isomeric nature and the complex linkages between residues have made glycan analysis a challenging task. Disease development and progression are usually associated with alternations in glycosylation on tissue proteins and/or blood proteins. Glycans released from tissue/blood proteins hence provide a valuable source of biomarkers. In this postgenome era, glycomics is an emerging research field. Glycome refers to a repertoire of glycans in a tissue/cell type, while glycomics is the study of glycome. In the past few years, attempts have been made to develop novel methodologies for quantitative glycomic profiling and to identify potential glycobiomarkers. It can be foreseen that glycomics holds the promise for biomarker discovery. This review provides an overview of the unique features of glycans and the historical applications of such features to biomarker discovery.

Future Prospective

The concept of glycomics and its recent advancement and future prospective in biomarker research are reviewed. Above all, there is no doubt that glycomics is gaining momentum in biomarker research.

【 授权许可】

Unknown