Functional and biosynthetic aspects of sialic acid diversity
Schauer, R.; de Freese, A.; Gollub, M.; Iwersen, M.; Kelm, S.; Reuter, G.; Schlenzka, W.; Vandamme-Feldhaus, V.; Shaw, L.
Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics 34(1-2): 131-141
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1208 PMID: 9343941 Document Number: 481891
Sialic acids comprise a large family of N- and O-substituted neuraminic acid derivatives as components of glycoconjugates. N-Glycolylneuraminic acid is formed from N-acetylneuraminic acid by the action of the CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase studied in various animals. O-Methylated sialic acids originate from the action of S-adenosylmethionine-8-O-methyltransferase studied in starfish. Sialic acids are O-acetylated at diverse positions by the action of acetyl-CoA-4-O- and -7-O-acetyltransferases found in various animals and, leading to the O-acetylation of sialic acid glycerol side chain, also in man. Some properties of these enzymes are described and biological implications discussed.