UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase: a regulator of cell surface sialylation.

Keppler, O T; Hinderlich, S; Langner, J; Schwartz-Albiez, R; Reutter, W; Pawlita, M · Science · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Modification of cell surface molecules with sialic acid is crucial for their function in many biological processes, including cell adhesion and signal transduction. Uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase (UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase) is an enzyme that catalyzes an early, rate-limiting step in the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase was found to be a major determinant of cell surface sialylation in human hematopoietic cell lines and a critical regulator of the function of specific cell surface adhesion molecules.

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