Endoglycosidase Deglycosylation for Glycoprotein Peak Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing heavily glycosylated proteins via capillary and microchip electrophoresis face challenges with poor separation and quantification due to overlapping peaks with impurities, leading to inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

A method involving denaturation, fluorescent labeling, quenching, and pre-deglycosylation of proteins using endoglycosidases to enhance separation and reduce interference in electrophoresis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If standard sample preparation methods are used for heavily glycosylated proteins, then the analysis process is simple, but separation and quantification are poor due to peak overlap with impurities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation and quantification accuracyVSAvoidsample preparation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing deglycosylation before electrophoresis analysis. The method involves treating the glycosylated protein sample with endoglycosidase enzymes to remove glycans prior to separation, which eliminates peak overlap issues and improves quantification accuracy. This preliminary modification of the sample structure resolves the contradiction by preparing the sample in advance to avoid analysis problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If deglycosylation is performed before labeling, then electropherogram peaks due to endoglycosidase are reduced, but the process takes more time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectropherogram qualityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the deglycosylation conditions including enzyme concentration, temperature, and pH to achieve complete glycan removal in minimal time. By adjusting these parameters, the method reduces endoglycosidase peaks in electropherograms while minimizing the time required for the deglycosylation step, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If fluorescent labeling is performed on glycosylated proteins, then protein detection is enhanced, but free dye interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein detection sensitivityVSAvoidfree dye interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by removing glycans from the protein through deglycosylation before performing fluorescent labeling. This extraction of the glycan portion eliminates binding sites that would otherwise cause free dye interference, while preserving the protein structure for effective fluorescent labeling and detection. The harmful free dye interference is thus removed along with the glycans.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method provides fast, accurate, and highly reproducible analysis of glycoproteins with reduced interference from endoglycosidase and free dye, enabling clear separation of protein species based on mass.

Implementation Method 1

deglycosylating the labeled sample with an endoglycosidase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

performing electrophoresis on the labeled sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP4354145B1Deglycosylation methods for electrophoresis of glycosylated proteins
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS INC
  • EP4354145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4354145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4354145B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to methods of analyzing a post-translationally modified protein of interest using electrophoresis, the methods comprising deglycosylating the protein of interest after labeling.