Analytical System to Identify Glycolipids and Glycosphingolipids in Tissues

Mass Spectrometry Database and Software Improves Characterization of Complex and Unknown Glycolipids

This liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system utilizes an extensive mass spectrometry database and a two-step searching procedure to identify glycolipids and glycosphingolipids. Glycolipids play an important role in various physiological and pathological processes. More than 80 percent of glycan cells in the central nervous system are glycolipids related to many diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Identifying glycolipids in experimental samples remains challenging because of their unique chemical and physical properties. Available commercial software designed to identify lipids is not well suited for glycolipid analysis, especially for analysis of unknown glycolipids, since many glycolipids are absent from mass spectrometry libraries.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a tandem mass spectrometry system employing a more extensive library/database and a two-step process to search and identify specific glycolipids. The system analyzes the glycolipids and glycosphingolipids in bodily fluids and tissues to help identify biomarkers useful for diagnosis and therapy of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, or depression.

Application

Improved mass spectrometry database and searching software that better identifies glycolipids and glycosphingolipids in tissue samples in order to develop biomarkers and therapeutic tools

Advantages

• Employs an extensive database of glycolipids and glycosphingolipids, identifying more of each class than with available lipid libraries
• Two-step search analyzes both glycan and lipid fragments, better characterizing unique glycolipid structures and spectra
• Expands the glycolipid reference library, advancing analysis of glycolipids’ connection to various diseases as biomarkers
• Improves glycolipid mass spectrometry software, benefiting pharmaceutical and biological research industries

Technology

The liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) software applies a two-step process to analyze specific glycolipids, including glycosphingolipids, using an extensive database. The first step identifies the glycan moiety, and the second step identifies the lipid moiety. The mass spectrometry database will provide the tandem spectra to identify various glycolipids. Once the system obtains the MS/MS spectra of a sample, analysis using the database and new searching procedure identifies the glycolipid composition in terms of both glycan forms and lipid forms. The analytical system identifies glycolipids more efficiently than available commercial software designed for identifying lipids.