Sialidaasi

Sialidaasi is a term that can refer to different enzymes that cleave sialic acid residues from glycoconjugates. In biochemistry, sialidases are a class of glycoside hydrolase enzymes. They are also known as neuraminidases. These enzymes play a critical role in the breakdown of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Sialidases are found in a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and animals.

In humans, sialidases are involved in various physiological processes, such as cell signaling, cell adhesion, and immune responses. Deficiencies in specific human sialidases can lead to lysosomal storage diseases, such as sialidosis, which are characterized by the accumulation of sialylated molecules within cells.

Bacterial sialidases are important in the pathogenesis of many infections, as they can degrade host glycoconjugates, facilitating bacterial colonization and invasion. Viral neuraminidases, such as those found on the influenza virus, are essential for viral replication and release from host cells. Inhibition of these viral neuraminidases is a common therapeutic strategy for treating influenza. The specific substrate and function of sialidases can vary depending on the organism and the precise enzyme.