Sialic Acids, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1982 Chemistry, Metabolism, and Function Cell Biology Monographs Series, Vol. 10

Rapid progress in the field of sialic acids has made it desirable to collect the new data about these unique sugars and to continue the series of books on this topic. In 1960, A. GOTTSCHALK wrote "The Chemistry and Biology of Sialic Acids and Related Substances" (Cambridge University Press) and in 1976, A. ROSENBERG and C. -L. SCHENGRUND published "Biological Roles of Sialic Acids" (Plenum Press). In this book emphasis is given to various modern methods used in the isolation and analysis of sialic acids. New approaches to the synthesis of free and bound sialic acids are described and the vast field of occurrence and metabolism of these substances is reviewed. Sialidoses are dealt with in one of the chapters, because sialidases have been recognized as factors of pathophysiological im­ portance. As knowledge is increasing about the involvement of sialic acids in many aspects of cell biology, another chapter is devoted to these phenomena. With this book I intend to demonstrate modern trends in sialic acid chemistry and biochemistry, and I hope that it will be of practical use and find its place in laboratories rather than in libraries. This publication offers an opportunity to thank all colleagues in many countries, including my coworkers at the universities of Bochum and Kiel, for their cooperation, stimulating discussions and, very important, useful criticism. The continuous cooperation with J. F. G. VLIEGENTHART and his coworkers, Utrecht, has been rewarding in many respects.

A. Introduction.- B. Occurrence of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. Viruses.- III. Bacteria.- IV. Fungi, Algae, and Plants.- V.Protozoa.- VI. Porifera, Platyhelminthes, Nemertinea, Ctenophora, andCoelenterata.- VII. Sipuncula, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Mollusca.- VIII. Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Chaetognatha, and Echinodermata.- IX. Hemichordata, Urochordata, and Cephalochordata.- X.Vertebrata.- XI. The Nature of Sialic Acids.- XII. Evolution of the Sialic Acids.- Biblography.- C. Isolation and Purification of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. Acid Hydrolysis.- III. Enzymic Hydrolysis.- IV. Lipid Extraction.- V. Ion-Exchange Chromatography.- VI. Cellulose Chromatography.- VII. Crystallization.- VIII. Other Methods.- D. Synthesis of Sialic Acids and Sialic Acid Derivatives.- I.Introduction.- II. Glycosides of Sialic Acids.- III. Sialodisaccharides.- IV. 2-Deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acylneuraminic Acids.- V. Methylated Sialic Acids.- VI. Isotopically Labelled Sialic Acids.- VII. Substrates for Sialidase Investigations.- VIII. C7- and C8-Analogues of Sialic Acids.- IX. Miscellaneous Sialic Acids and Sialic Acid Derivatives.- E. Colorimetry and Thin-Layer Chromatography of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. Colorimetry and Fluorimetry.- III. Thin-Layer Chromatography.- F. Gas-Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. Gas-Liquid Chromatography.- III. Gas-Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.- G. NMR Spectroscopy of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. 1H-NMR Spectroscopy.- III. 13C-NMR Spectroscopy.- IV. Analytical Procedures.- H. Histochemistry of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. Histochemical Identification of Sialic Acids.- III. Staining and Control Procedures.- BibHography.- I. Metabolism of Sialic Acids.- I. Introduction.- II. De novo Biosynthesis of Sialic Acids.- III. Sialyltransfer.- IV. Catabolism of Sialic Acids.- V. Uptake and Recycling of Sialic Acids in Cells.- VI. Regulation of Sialic Acid Metabolism.- Biblography.- J. Biological Significance of Sialic Adds.- I. Introduction.- II. Role in Cellular Adhesiveness.- III. Influence on the Life-Span of Blood Components.- IV. Blood Clotting.- V. Immunology and Infection.- VI. Immunotherapy with Neuraminidase-Treated Cells.- VII. Gang Hosides.- VIII. Mucins of the Gastrointestinal Tract.- IX. Hormones.- X. Concluding Remarks and Outlook.- Biblography.- K. Sialidoses.- I. Introduction.- II. Clinical Manifestations and Classification.- III. The Metabolic Defect.- IV. Other Disorders with Neuraminidase Deficiency.- V. Laboratory Diagnosis.- VI. Summary.- Biblography.