NEU2

This gene belongs to a family of glycohydrolytic enzymes which remove sialic acid residues from glycoproteins and glycolipids. Expression studies in COS7 cells confirmed that this gene encodes a functional sialidase. Its cytosolic localization was demonstrated by cell fractionation experiments. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

sialidase 2 (cytosolic sialidase)

Function

Exo-alpha-sialidase that catalyzes the hydrolytic cleavage of the terminal sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, Neu5Ac) of a glycan moiety in the catabolism of glycolipids, glycoproteins and oligosacharides (PubMed:14613940, PubMed:22228546).

Recognizes sialyl linkage positions of the glycan moiety as well as the supramolecular organization of the sialoglycoconjugate. Displays preference for alpha-(2->3)-sialylated GD1a and GT1B gangliosides over alpha-(2->8)-sialylated GD1b, in both monomeric forms and micelles. Hydrolyzes monomeric GM1 ganglioside, but has no activity toward the miscellar form (PubMed:14613940).

Has lower sialidase activity for glycoproteins such as fetuin and TF/transferrin that carry a mixture of alpha-(2->3) and alpha-(2->6)-sialyl linkages. Cleaves milk oligosaccharide alpha-(2->3)-sialyllactose, but is inactive toward alpha-(2->6)-sialyllactose isomer. Has no activity toward colominic acid, a homomer of alpha-(2->8)-linked Neu5Ac residues (PubMed:14613940).

Biological Process

Cellular oligosaccharide catabolic process Source: CAFA
Ganglioside catabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Glycoprotein catabolic process Source: UniProtKB
Glycosphingolipid metabolic process Source: Reactome
Oligosaccharide catabolic process Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Cytosol