Neuraminic acid

Neuraminic acid (5-amino-3,5-dideoxy- D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid) is a 9-carbon monosaccharide. It may be theoretically visualized as the aldol-condensation product of pyruvic acid and D-mannosamine (2-amino-2-deoxy-mannose). Neuraminic acid does not occur naturally, but many of its derivatives are found widely distributed in animal tissues and in bacteria, especially in glycoproteins and gangliosides. The N- or O-substituted derivatives of neuraminic acid are collectively known as sialic acids, the predominant one being N-acetylneuraminic acid. The amino group bears either an acetyl or a glycolyl group. The hydroxyl substituents may vary considerably: acetyl, lactyl, methyl, sulfate and phosphate groups have been found.

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The name "neuraminic acid" was introduced by German scientist E. Klenk in 1941, in reference to the brain lipids from which it was derived as a cleavage product.^[1].

The symbol commonly used for neuraminic acid is Neu.

See also

• N-Acetylneuraminic acid
• Sialic acid

References and notes