GlycanAnalysis Plug-in: a database search tool for N-glycan structures using mass spectrometry.

Summary: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS or MS n ) is a potent technique for characterizing N-glycan structures. GlycanAnalysis searches a glycan database to support the identification of glycan structures from MS/MS spectra. It also calculates diagnostic ions of glycan structures registered in a glycan database (GlycomeDB or KEGG GLYCAN) and searches for MS/MS spectra of N-glycans that match diagnostic ions to determine the structures. This program functions as a plug-in for Massþþ, a freeware mass spectrum visualization and analysis program. Availability and implementation: The executable files of Massþþ are available for free at http:// www.first-ms3d.jp/english/. The GlycanAnalysis plug-in is included in the standard package of Massþþ for Windows. Contact: k-morimt@shimadzu.co.jp or nishikaz@shimadzu.co.jp or acyshzw@shimadzu.co.jp Supplementary information: Supplementary material are available at Bioinformatics online.