The spelling of "CMP N Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase" can be broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /siː ɛm piː ɛn ˌækəˈtilnəjʊˌræmənɪk asɪd ˈsɪnθɪteɪs/. This enzyme is responsible for synthesizing CMP N-acetylneuraminic acid, a molecule involved in many important biological processes. While the spelling of this word may seem complex, breaking it down phonetically can help with pronunciation and understanding of its components. This is helpful when discussing scientific information and communicating with others in the field.
CMP N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase (also known as CMP-Neu5Ac synthetase or NANS) is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). It is an essential enzyme found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. N-Acetylneuraminic acid, commonly referred to as sialic acid, is a vital component of glycoconjugates on cell surfaces and plays fundamental roles in various biological processes, including cell recognition, immune response, and cell adhesion.
CMP N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the C5 atom of the precursor molecule Cytidine Monophosphate (CMP), resulting in the formation of CMP-Neu5Ac. This reaction is vital for the production of sialic acid, as CMP-Neu5Ac serves as the activated precursor for its biosynthesis.
The enzyme CMP N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase is highly specific and can only recognize and bind CMP and Acetyl-CoA as substrates. It requires Mg2+ as a cofactor for its optimal activity and is often found associated with membranes or located in the cytosol. The enzyme's activity might be regulated by the availability of substrates, as well as by allosteric modulation or post-translational modifications.
Deficiencies or dysfunctions of CMP N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase can lead to alterations in sialic acid metabolism, which can result in various pathological conditions. Consequently, the enzyme represents an important target for therapeutic interventions aimed at mod