N-Acetylneuraminic acid
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about N-Acetylneuraminic acid?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac or NANA) is the predominant sialic acid found in human cells, and many mammalian cells. Other forms, such as N-Glycolylneuraminic acid, may also occur in cells.
Names | |
---|---|
IUPAC name
5-(Acetylamino)-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-α-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid | |
Other names
| |
Identifiers | |
| |
3D model (JSmol) |
|
ChEBI | |
ChemSpider |
|
ECHA InfoCard | 100.004.568 |
KEGG | |
MeSH | N-Acetylneuraminic+Acid |
PubChem CID |
|
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
|
| |
| |
Properties | |
C11H19NO9 | |
Molar mass | 309.271 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | White crystalline powder |
Melting point | 186 °C (367 °F; 459 K) (decomposes) |
Pharmacology | |
M09AX05 (WHO) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
This residue is negatively charged at physiological pH and is found in complex glycans on mucins and glycoproteins found at the cell membrane. Neu5Ac residues are also found in glycolipids, known as gangliosides, a crucial component of neuronal membranes found in the brain.
Along with involvement in preventing infections (mucus associated with mucous membranes—mouth, nose, GI, respiratory tract), Neu5Ac acts as a receptor for influenza viruses, allowing attachment to mucous cells via hemagglutinin (an early step in acquiring influenzavirus infection).