Single-molecule studies of fluorescently-labelled polysaccharides

Quinn, S. D. , Dalton, C. E., Jeanneret, R. A., Gardiner, J. M. and Magennis, S. W. (2016) Single-molecule studies of fluorescently-labelled polysaccharides. Biophysical Journal, 110(3 S1), 636a-636a.

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Abstract

Together with nucleic acids and proteins, carbohydrates are fundamental building blocks of life that impact molecular and macroscopic functionality. Heparan sulfate (HS) in particular is a linear polysaccharide found on cell surfaces that binds to signalling proteins and growth factors to facilitate, among others, cell proliferation and differentiation. Since HS is known to mediate cell adhesion and control activities of numerous growth and motility factors, it has been implicated in the metastasis of cancer cells, the uptake of viral infections and the early-onset of Alzheimer's disease. HS oligosaccharides are therefore considered important therapeutic targets for a variety of disease-related pathways. However, the structural requirements for protein binding by HS are largely undefined, in part due to its structural complexity, which includes variable sulfation patterns. In this presentation, we demonstrate the use of an amine tag for the 1:1 fluorescent labelling of structurally-defined chemically synthesized HS oligosaccharides and their detection and applications using advanced single-molecule techniques. This particular approach of labelling and detecting single HS oligosaccharides opens up an exciting platform from which to quantify, in real-time, the dynamic events that exist during interactions with its receptors.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Magennis, Dr Steven and Quinn, Dr Steven
Authors: Quinn, S. D., Dalton, C. E., Jeanneret, R. A., Gardiner, J. M., and Magennis, S. W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Biophysical Journal
Publisher:Biophysical Society
ISSN:0006-3495
ISSN (Online):1542-0086

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