title: Effects of Sialic Acid Modifications on Virus Binding and Infection.
abstract: Sialic acids (Sias) are abundantly displayed on the surfaces of vertebrate cells, and particularly on all mucosal surfaces. Sias interact with microbes of many types, and are the targets of specific recognition by many different viruses. They may mediate virus binding and infection of cells, or alternatively can act as decoy receptors that bind virions and block virus infection. These nine-carbon backbone monosaccharides naturally occur in many different modified forms, and are attached to underlying glycans through varied linkages, creating significant diversity in the pathogen receptor forms. Here we review the current knowledge regarding the distribution of modified Sias in different vertebrate hosts, tissues, and cells, their effects on viral pathogens where those have been examined, and outline unresolved questions.
authors: Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: brw72@cornell.edu.
authors: Brian R
authors: BR
authors: Wasik
authors: Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors: Karen N
authors: KN
authors: Barnard
authors: Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors: Colin R
authors: CR
authors: Parrish
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018109:Avulavirus / Q000502:physiology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000737:chemistry; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D056189:Viral Tropism; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology*; D053585:Virus Attachment
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D012794:Sialic Acids; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid
keywords: inhibitor.; modification; receptor; sialic acids; virus