Cell surface-specific N-glycoproteomics

To understand the cellular functions of glycans and to exploit them as clinical targets it is essential to acquire information on their cell surface exposure. Here, we developed a sensitive and specific mass spectrometry method to globally study the N-glycoforms displayed at individual protein sites on the cell surface. This offers a valuable tool to discriminate between functionally relevant glycans and biosynthetic intermediates for future cellular glycoproteomic analyses.