Sialic Acid

Sialic Acid is an amino sugar. Sialic acid is a constituent of some glycoproteins, gangliosides and bacterial cell walls.

Sialic acids are derivatives of neuraminic acid. They are part of the glycoproteins and glycolipids of the cell membranes of vertebrates and many invertebrates. Sialic acids play an important role in cell-cell interactions and signal transduction.

The most common sialic acid is N-acetylneuraminic acid. It is present on the surface of cells of higher animals and humans. Sialic acids impart a negative charge to cell membranes, which is important for intercellular contacts and the prevention of unwanted interactions.

Thus, sialic acids play a key role in the functioning of cells and the body as a whole. Their structure and properties are actively studied in biochemistry and molecular biology.



Sialic acid is an amino sugar that is one of the main components of many biological molecules, including glycoproteins, gangliosides and bacterial cell walls. Despite the fact that sialic acid was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, its role in the human body is still not fully understood.

Sialic acid is an amino sugar with the molecular formula C18H27NO9. It consists of two glucose residues connected by a glycosidic bond and three L-aspartate residues attached to it. Sialic acids play an important role in cellular interaction and metabolism. They can be found in various tissues and body fluids, such as blood, saliva, tears, gastric juice and others.

One of the main properties of sialic acid is its ability to bind to other molecules such as proteins and carbohydrates. This allows it to play an important role in the creation of cell membranes and other structures. In addition, sialic acids can interact with cells of the immune system, which may be important in protecting the body from infections and other diseases.

However, despite its important role in biology, sialic acid can also be toxic to the body. Some studies suggest that high levels of sialic acid may be associated with the development of various diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Therefore, studying the role of sialic acids in biology and their effect on human health is an important area of ​​research in modern science.