sialic acid transmembrane transporter activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Enables the transfer of sialic acid from one side of a membrane to the other. [GOC:jl, GOC:mtg_transport, ISBN:0815340729]

Sialic acid transmembrane transporter activity is a molecular function associated with proteins that facilitate the movement of sialic acid across cell membranes. Sialic acid, a negatively charged monosaccharide, plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including cell adhesion, signal transduction, and immune recognition. These transporters are typically integral membrane proteins, often possessing multiple transmembrane domains, and their activity is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating the concentration of sialic acid within and outside cells. Sialic acid transmembrane transporters can function as uniporters, moving sialic acid in a single direction, or as symporters, co-transporting sialic acid with another molecule, such as protons or sodium ions. The specific mechanism of transport can vary depending on the transporter, but generally involves the binding of sialic acid to a binding site within the protein, followed by a conformational change that facilitates its movement across the membrane. Defects in sialic acid transmembrane transporter activity can lead to various pathological conditions, highlighting the importance of this molecular function in maintaining cellular integrity and physiological processes.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (2)