# Quantification of Glycan in Glycoproteins via AUCAgent-Enhanced Analytical Ultracentrifugation

**Authors:** Xiaojuan Yu, Zhaoxing Wang, Chengshi Zeng, Ruifeng Zhang, Qing Chang, Wendan Chu, Qinghua Ma, Ke Ma, Lan Wang, Chuanfei Yu, Wenqi Li

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ph19020210 · 2026-01-26

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method using analytical ultracentrifugation to accurately measure glycans in glycoproteins, important for vaccine development.

## Contribution

A novel glycan quantification method using AUC with UV absorption and interference data is introduced.

## Key findings

- The new method enables precise glycan mass fraction determination in glycoproteins.
- The approach retains AUC's advantages with high reproducibility and native state analysis.

## Abstract

Background: As essential biomolecules composed of proteins and carbohydrate moieties, glycoproteins play pivotal roles in numerous biological processes. The glycosylation level plays a crucial role in determining the functionality of glycoproteins. Therefore, the precise quantification of glycan components in proteins holds significant importance for research on and development of polysaccharide–protein-conjugated vaccines. Methods: In this study, a novel glycan quantification approach was developed, leveraging analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) technology that synergistically utilizes ultraviolet wavelength absorption and interference data to directly determine glycan mass fractions in glycoproteins. Results: This methodology expands the analytical framework for glycoproteins while retaining the intrinsic advantages of AUC, enabling analysis in native states with high reproducibility as indicated by low standard deviation across replicates. Conclusions: The approach was implemented in our proprietary AUC data analysis software called AUCAgent (v1.8.8), providing a new method for glycoprotein quantification and polysaccharide ratio determination in polysaccharide-protein-conjugate vaccines.

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 2064] {aka CD340, HER-2, HER-2/neu, HER2, MLN 19, MLN-19}
- **Diseases:** Neisseria meningitidis (MESH:D006069), infections (MESH:D007239), injury to (MESH:D014947)
- **Chemicals:** C-4 resin (-), silica (MESH:D012822), amine (MESH:D000588), carbohydrate (MESH:D002241), 1-cyano-4-dimethylaminopyridinium tetrafluoroborate (MESH:C067292), formic acid (MESH:C030544), Glycan (MESH:D011134), acetonitrile (MESH:C032159), Polyacrylamide (MESH:C016679), imidazole (MESH:C029899), SDS (MESH:D012967), Gly (MESH:D005998)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Streptococcus pneumoniae (species) [taxon 1313]
- **Cell lines:** 293F — Homo sapiens (Human), Transformed cell line (CVCL_6642)

## Figures

8 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12943701/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12943701