SIALYLATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Sialylation is a biochemical process that involves the addition or modification of sialic acids to various molecules in living organisms. Sialic acids are a family of acidic sugars that are commonly found at the termini of glycans, which are chains of sugars attached to proteins or lipids. The process of sialylation primarily occurs in the Golgi apparatus within cells and is mediated by specific enzymes called sialyltransferases.
The addition of sialic acids to glycans through sialylation plays a crucial role in various biological processes. Sialylation is known to play a significant role in cell-cell interactions, as sialic acids can act as recognition sites for various molecules and receptors. It is involved in the regulation of immune responses, cell adhesion, and the communication between cells. Sialylation also affects the stability, function, and half-life of glycoproteins and glycolipids, as well as their recognition by other molecules in the body.
Altered or deficient sialylation has been associated with several diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and genetic disorders. A decrease or aberrant sialylation can disrupt normal cellular functions and lead to pathological conditions. Therefore, the study of sialylation and its regulation has gained significant importance in the fields of glycobiology, immunology, and biomedical research.
In summary, sialylation is a vital process that involves the addition or modification of sialic acids to glycans, with essential implications for cellular interactions, immune responses, and disease pathology.
Common Misspellings for SIALYLATION
- aialylation
- zialylation
- xialylation
- dialylation
- eialylation
- wialylation
- sualylation
- sjalylation
- skalylation
- soalylation
- s9alylation
- s8alylation
- sizlylation
- sislylation
- siwlylation
- siqlylation
- siakylation
- siapylation
- siaoylation
- sialtlation
Etymology of SIALYLATION
The word "sialylation" comes from the combination of two terms: "sialic acid" and "ylation".
"Sialic acid" is a type of acidic sugar molecule that is found on the surface of many cells and plays a role in cellular recognition, adhesion, and signaling. It is named after the Greek word "sialon", meaning "saliva", as it was initially identified in saliva.
"-ylation" is a suffix derived from the verb "ylate", which means "to add or introduce a functional group called an 'yl' group, usually in the context of chemistry or biochemistry". It is commonly used to indicate a chemical modification or addition of a particular molecule or functional group. In this case, "sialylation" refers to the process of adding sialic acid molecules to other molecules, typically proteins or lipids.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
