Method for determining sugar chain structure

摘要

A more exact, reliable, and simple method for determining the structure of a sugar chain, a kit to be used for this method, and novel oligosaccharides useful for the method as standard sugar chains are provided. The method for determining the structure of an N-acetyllactosamine type of sugar chain is characterized by determining the site of linkage and the mode of linkage of sugar residues at the non-reducing terminal side of a beta -N-acetylglucosamine residue linked to an alpha -mannose residue in M3 core by means of detecting the presence of the beta -N-acetylglucosamine residue after enzymatic or chemical treatment of the sugar chain. The kit for determining the structure of an N-acetyllactosamine type of sugar chain is characterized by containing at least one of the oligosaccharides represented by the chemical formula 1. The oligosaccharide is represented by the chemical formula 4.