N-Glycolylneuraminic acid

Neu5Gc

Colorless solid

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

N- glycolylneuraminic acid, also called Neu5Gc, belongs to the class of the sialic acids.

In animal organisms Neu5Gc is a commonly occurring sialic acid. In the human body, however, Neu5Gc is missing. Only occurs in humans, N-acetylneuraminic acid as the enzyme CMP -Neu5Ac hydroxylase, which catalyzes the formation of N- glycolylneuraminic acid, N- acetylneuraminic acid in humans is not functional. The gene which codes for the corresponding enzyme (CMP -Neu5Ac hydroxylase = CMAH ) is inoperable due to a mutation in humans. In contrast, for example, chimpanzees have the ability Neu5Gc - including the brain - to synthesize. The gene encoding CMAH gene is located on chromosome 6 p21.32 locus.

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