A new method for sequencing linear oligosaccharides on gels using charged, fluorescent conjugates.

A new method is described for sequencing linear oligosaccharides on gels using charged, fluorescent conjugates. The reducing ends of various mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-saccharides were conjugated with monopotassium 7-amino-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonate (a fluorescent and negatively charged compound) by reductive amination using sodium cyanoborohydride. The sugar conjugates were purified by preparative gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by a newly developed technique involving their semi-dry transfer to positively charged nylon membranes and elution with sodium chloride. The structures of a monosaccharide- and trisaccharide-conjugate were established by f.a.b.-m.s. and 2D n.m.r. Seven linear oligosaccharide-fluorescent conjugates were treated sequentially with exoglycosidases and with endoglycosidases. Analysis of the products by gel electrophoresis provided sequence information. These methods may be useful for sequencing oligosaccharides that are chemically or enzymically (endoglycosidase) released from glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans.