Schauer R, de Freese A, Gollub M, Iwersen M, Kelm S, Reuter G, Schlenzka W, Vandamme-Feldhaus V, Shaw L
Biochemisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany.
Indian J Biochem Biophys. 1997 Feb-Apr;34(1-2):131-41.
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.
