Heparin and heparan sulfate (HS) may be purified from complex biological matrices and are often isolated in sub-milligram quantities but not unequivocally identified by spectroscopic means. This protocol details a methodology to rapidly assess the gross compositional features and approximate purity of HS by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. A complimentary method for identification and characterisation of heparan sulfate can be found at Carnachan and Hinkley (2017).
A number of methods exist for the analysis of heparin and HS. This protocol aims to provide a reproducible and widely applicable method for the rapid identification of heparin/HS by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Small samples (~0.3 mg) can be readily assessed in a non-destructive manner to ascertain an approximate purity that identifies other common contaminants found in biological samples when purifying heparin-like molecules. The procedures described herein are intended to provide a stepwise protocol suitable for a laboratory inexperienced in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analysis.
Carnachan, S. M. and Hinkley, S. F. R. (2017). Heparan Sulfate Identification and Characterisation: Method I. Heparan Sulfate Identification by NMR Analysis. Bio-protocol 7(7): e2196. DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.2196.