Role of sialic acid in the maintenance of cell surface rigidity.
Removal of the cell surface sialic acid with neuraminidase brings about cell deformation in amoeba. The membranes of these deformed cells are eventually ruptured leading to the liberation of the cell mass.
D000656:Amoeba; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000502:physiology*
D012794:Sialic Acids; D009439:Neuraminidase