CMP-Neu5Ac.2Na

CMP-Neu5Ac.2Na (Cytidine Monophosphate N-Acetylneuraminic Acid disodium salt) is a nucleotide sugar involved in the biosynthesis of sialic acids, particularly N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), which plays a vital role in glycosylation processes, especially in the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Structure & Properties:

• Molecular Weight (MW): Approximately 635 g/mol (depending on the specific form and substitutions)
• Chemical Formula: C20H30N3Na2O16P (approximate)
• Synonyms: CMP-sialic acid, CMP-N-acetylneuraminate disodium salt
• Functional Groups: CMP-Neu5Ac consists of cytidine monophosphate (CMP) linked to N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), which is a nine-carbon sugar acid.

Biological Role:

• Biosynthesis Pathway: CMP-Neu5Ac is synthesized from cytidine triphosphate (CTP) and Neu5Ac via the enzyme CMP-sialic acid synthetase. It acts as the activated donor of Neu5Ac in various sialylation reactions.
• Function: CMP-Neu5Ac serves as a donor of sialic acid for the sialylation of glycoconjugates, including glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are critical for cellular communication, pathogen recognition, and immune modulation.

Applications:

• Sialylation of Glycoproteins and Glycolipids: CMP-Neu5Ac is crucial in the attachment of sialic acid residues to the termini of glycan chains on glycoproteins and glycolipids. This modification is essential for many biological processes, such as cell-cell interactions, receptor recognition, and signal transduction.
• Glycobiology Research: CMP-Neu5Ac is widely used in research to study the role of sialylation in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, immune responses, and viral infections.

Significance in Research:

• Immune System Regulation: Sialylated glycans contribute to immune regulation by modulating cell recognition processes. For example, sialylation affects the interaction of cells with selectins, Siglecs, and other immune receptors.
• Cancer Research: Altered sialylation patterns are often associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Studying CMP-Neu5Ac in this context can help in the development of cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Key Roles:

• Cell-Cell Interaction: CMP-Neu5Ac-derived sialic acid residues on cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids are involved in cell-cell adhesion, immune responses, and pathogen recognition.
• Pathogen Evasion: Some pathogens, such as influenza viruses, use sialic acid residues on host cells as receptors for entry. Conversely, other pathogens express sialylated molecules to evade host immune detection.

Storage and Stability:

• Storage: CMP-Neu5Ac should be stored at -20°C in a moisture-free environment for optimal stability.
• Stability: The compound is stable under these conditions but may degrade if exposed to heat, moisture, or light.

Research Applications:

• Glycosylation Research: CMP-Neu5Ac is used to study sialylation in vitro, as well as in vivo, to understand the impact of sialylation on protein function, cell communication, and disease processes.
• Therapeutic Development: Research into CMP-Neu5Ac’s role in sialylation could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting aberrant sialylation in diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.

Potential Impact:

• Vaccine Development: Sialic acids, including Neu5Ac, are critical components of certain viral glycoproteins. CMP-Neu5Ac research can help in the development of antiviral vaccines by targeting viral glycoprotein sialylation pathways.
• Anti-Cancer Strategies: Inhibiting aberrant sialylation via CMP-Neu5Ac or its analogs may offer therapeutic potential in treating cancers that exhibit altered glycosylation patterns.

Conclusion:

CMP-Neu5Ac.2Na is a key nucleotide sugar in the biosynthesis of sialylated glycans, which are critical for cell communication, immune regulation, and pathogen interaction. Its role in glycosylation processes makes it a vital molecule for research in immune response, cancer biology, and therapeutic development.