Advances in Glycoproteomics: Methods, Challenges, and Applications

Glycoproteomics is the large-scale study of glycosylated proteins, combining proteomics and glycobiology to characterize glycan modifications on proteins. It has emerged as a crucial field for understanding protein function and disease biomarkers, since protein glycosylation influences numerous biological processes. In this paper, we review the key methodologies enabling glycoproteomic analyses, including enrichment techniques and mass spectrometry strategies, and discuss the unique challenges posed by the complexity of glycans. We also highlight applications of glycoproteomics in biomedical research, such as the discovery of cancer biomarkers. The progress in analytical techniques and bioinformatics has greatly advanced glycoproteomics, paving the way for new insights into the role of protein glycosylation in health and disease.