Analysis of glycoproteins, glycopeptides and glycoprotein-derived oligosaccharides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis.

Recent developments in the analysis of glycoproteins by high-performance capillary electrophoresis are reviewed, with emphasis on their carbohydrate chains. Glycoforms of glycoproteins were directly separated from each other by careful optimization of the analytical conditions. Glycopeptides in tyrptic digests were separated and the peptides carrying glycosylation sites were differentiated from others. Released oligosaccharide chains were separated from each other by direct or modified zone electrophoresis and directly detected by measuring the UV absorption at a low wavelength. Precolumn derivatization by various methods extended the utility of both the separation mode and detection technique. Dual mode analysis after derivatization permitted reliable identification and quantification without references.