Sialinsäureresten

Sialinsäureresten, also known as sialic acid residues, are a family of negatively charged nine-carbon sugar derivatives that are found in glycoconjugates, such as glycoproteins and glycolipids, on the surface of cells. They play crucial roles in a wide array of biological processes, including cell recognition, cell adhesion, immune responses, and the development of the nervous system. The most common sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac).

These residues are typically found at the non-reducing terminus of oligosaccharide chains. Their negative charge is important for modulating the physicochemical properties of the glycans and interacting with other molecules. For example, the negative charge of sialinsäureresten on cell surfaces can repel negatively charged molecules, influencing cell-cell interactions. They are also known to be involved in mediating the binding of pathogens like influenza viruses to host cells, as these viruses often recognize specific sialic acid structures.

The synthesis and modification of sialic acids are complex processes carried out by enzymes called sialyltransferases. These enzymes add sialic acid residues to growing glycan chains. Dysregulation in sialic acid metabolism or expression has been linked to various diseases, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting their significance in health and disease.