Sialic acids (Sia) represent a family of nine-carbon keto-sugars with an
unusual high structural diversity. However, all members are biosynthetic derivatives of
either N-acetylneuraminic acid or 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nononic acid. In
this chapter, we describe the biosynthesis of these two Sia precursors in vertebrates with
a focus on the characteristiscs of the involved enzymes. In addition, the activation of the
sugars as well as the degradation is included. Furthermore, dieseases and mouse models
associated to the Sia biosynthesis pathway as well as biomedical implications are
addressed.
Keywords: Sialic acid, Vertebrate sialic acid biosynthesis, UDP-Nacetylglucosamine
2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase, N-acylneuraminate
9-phosphate synthase, N-acylneuraminate 9-phosphate phosphatase, CMP-Nacetylneuraminic
acid synthetase, N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase, Nacetylglucosamine
2-epimerase, Sialuria, Hereditary inclusion body myopathy,
Glomerulopathy