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The human sialyltransferase family
A Harduin-Lepers1, V Vallejo-Ruiz, M A Krzewinski-Recchi
1Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, UMR CNRS no. 8576, Laboratoire de Chimie Biologique, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve dAscq, France.
Biochimie
|September 1, 2001
Summary
This study reviews human sialyltransferases, enzymes crucial for creating complex sugars on cells. Understanding their gene expression and function is key to deciphering cell regulation and disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Glycobiology
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Sialyltransferases are key enzymes in synthesizing sialylated glycoproteins and glycolipids.
- While the human genome likely encodes over 20 sialyltransferases, only 15 cDNAs have been fully characterized.
- Differential gene expression of sialyltransferases regulates cellular sialylation patterns across tissues, cell types, and developmental stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of human sialyltransferase genes and their encoded enzymes.
- To discuss the regulatory mechanisms governing the expression of these enzymes.
- To highlight the involvement of sialyltransferases in various physiological and pathological processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and data compilation on cloned human sialyltransferase cDNAs.
- Analysis of existing data on tissue distribution, substrate specificity, and biochemical properties.
- Examination of regulatory mechanisms and documented roles in biological processes.
Main Results:
- Detailed characterization of 15 cloned human sialyltransferase cDNAs and their gene regulation.
- Identification of overlapping substrate specificities, where multiple enzymes can synthesize the same sialic acid linkage.
- Evidence for the involvement of specific sialyltransferases in diverse physiological functions and disease states.
Conclusions:
- Human sialyltransferases exhibit complex expression patterns and functional redundancies.
- Further research into these enzymes is crucial for understanding cellular processes and developing therapeutic strategies for sialylation-related disorders.
- This overview serves as a foundational resource for researchers in glycobiology and related fields.