Heparin Sulfate Microarray

Heparin sulfate (HS) is one of the most complex classes of carbohydrates that play a key role in regulating biological processes, including growth factor interactions, virus entry, and angiogenesis by binding to a host of proteins. Indeed, glycosaminoglycans have been shown to interact with a wide range of proteins, including growth factors, metalloproteinases, chemokines, and pathogenic proteins. Elucidating the sulfation specificities of the growing number of HS-binding proteins in the genome will be critical for understanding the structure-activity relationships of glycosaminoglycans and the molecular mechanisms underlying important biological processes. Creative Biolabs is a world-leading company that can provide the best microarray products and solutions for global customers in the field of protein research. Based on our established support platform including Lectin Microarray, MALDI-TOF MS, SPRi, TLC, and Flow Cytometry, we have completed many microarray projects and can provide the best products and services to customers all over the world.

Introduction of HS Microarray

HSs are linear O- and N-sulfated polysaccharides that reside on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix of virtually all mammalian tissue types where they interact with numerous signaling proteins, growth factors and extracellular matrix components. HS chains are assembled by initially forming a linear polymer composed of alternating N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) moieties. While, the incomplete sulfation and epimerization including N-deacetylation, N-sulfation and O-sulfation lead to the considerable structural complexity of HS.

Nowadays, it is widely accepted that HS is an information-rich polymer and alteration in HS expression has been associated with the disease. However, the structure-function relationships of HS and related proteins are very poorly understood due to the chemical complexity and heterogeneity of HS. The development of HS microarray can substantially improve the understanding of HS-protein interactions, opening an opportunity for the discovery of novel therapeutic interventions for a variety of disease states.

Fig.1 Schematic illustration of preparation and usage of HS microarrays. (Pomin, 2018)

Applications of HS Microarray

The interaction between HS and proteins is critical for many biological processes and related to various diseases. For example, significant changes in the composition of proteoglycans occur in the stroma surrounding tumors, which supports tumor growth and invasion. Many pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites attack host cells by binding to HS, which is often a decisive factor for infection.

Some scientists have prepared a small library of synthetic HS oligosaccharides and built HS microarray chips that have been used to establish HS profiles for many HS-binding proteins such as fibroblast growth factors, natural cytotoxicity receptors, and chemokines. Taking advantage of the developed HS Microarray platform, we can screen the interactions between HS and various immunoproteins, as well as provide other services like Custom Synthesis, Anti-Glycoprotein Antibody Development, Tumor Glyco-diag Service, Glycan Modification and Labeling.

Creative Biolabs provides commercial and customized HS Microarray services according to your research goals. Please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Pomin, V. H.; et al. Synthetic oligosaccharide libraries and microarray technology: a powerful combination for the success of the current glycosaminoglycan interactomics. ChemMedChem. 2018, 13(7), 648-661.