Sialic acids in infection and their potential use in detection and protection against pathogens

Simone Dedola (Lead Author), Sanaz Ahmadipour, Peterson de Andrade, Alexander N. Baker, Andrew N. Boshra, Simona Chessa, Matthew I. Gibson, Pedro J. Hernando, Irina M. Ivanova, Jessica E. Lloyd, Maria J. Marin, Alexandra J. Munro-Clark, Giulia Pergolizzi, Sarah-Jane Richards, Iakovia Ttofi, Ben A. Wagstaff, Robert Field (Lead Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

In structural terms, the sialic acids are a large family of nine carbon sugars based around an alpha-keto acid core. They are widely spread in nature, where they are often found to be involved in molecular recognition processes, including in development, immunology, health and disease. The prominence of sialic acids in infection is a result of their exposure at the non-reducing terminus of glycans in diverse glycolipids and glycoproteins. Herein, we survey representative aspects of sialic acid structure, recognition and exploitation in relation to infectious diseases, their diagnosis and prevention or treatment. Examples covered span influenza virus and Covid-19, Leishmania and Trypanosoma, algal viruses, Campylobacter, Streptococci and Helicobacter, and commensal Ruminococci.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)167-188
Number of pages22
JournalRSC Chemical Biology
Volume5
Issue number3
Early online date19 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Mar 2024

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