# Core C: GAGomics and Proteomics

> **NIH NIH P01** · VERSITI BLOOD HEALTH, INC. · 2021 · $259,327

## Abstract

Core C – Project Summary/Abstract
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear O-linked polysaccharides that modify serine residues for a select number
of membrane proteins (e.g., glypicans: GPC1-GPC6, syndecans: SDC1-SDC4), secretory proteins (serglycin),
and extracellular proteins (e.g., perlecan). GAGs are synthesized in a non-template directed fashion producing
large heterogeneous structures that cannot be predicted in an analogous way that we can use the genome to
predict transcriptional (RNA) and translational (proteins) structures/sequences. Consequently these structures
are exceedingly difficult to structurally characterize. Furthermore, assigning biological function to these structures
such as protein-GAG interactions adds to the glycoanalytical challenges. High-performance mass spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS) combined with advanced sample preparation strategies is the leading technology for structural
characterization and quantification of GAG structures. The Proteoglycomics-Core C (PG-Core C) fills a critical
technologically need for the Program Project which have been outlined in three Specific Aims. In SPECIFIC AIM
1, the PG-Core C will perform comparative structural analysis of heparan and chondroitin sulfate
glycosaminoglycans derived from the bone marrow niche. This aim, which we have termed GAGomics, will
provide a global measure of GAG modifications, cellular regulation, and protein-GAG interactions for all three
Projects. In SPECIFIC AIM 2, the PG-Core C will perform in-depth proteomics analysis of protein-GAG
interactions in the bone marrow niche which we've termed GAGactomics or the identification of proteins that
differentially bind cellular or extracellular GAG structures. In SPECIFIC AIM 3, or the aim focused solely on
Proteomics, the PG-Core C will perform global and targeted quantitative proteomics analysis of protein
expression in the bone marrow niche. Our overall goal is to support the innovative hypotheses of all three
Projects with the highest quality LC-MS/MS data to elucidate GAG structures, GAG-protein interactions, and
protein expression levels in the bone marrow niche.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10088967
- **Project number:** 1P01HL151333-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VERSITI BLOOD HEALTH, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam M Hawkridge
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $259,327
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10088967

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10088967, Core C: GAGomics and Proteomics (1P01HL151333-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10088967. Licensed CC0.

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