ST8SIA4
Description
The ST8SIA4 (ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminide alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase 4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 5.
ST8SIA4 gene encodes CMP-N-acetylneuraminate-poly-alpha-2,8-sialyltransferase, an enzyme that catalyzes the polycondensation of alpha-2,8-linked sialic acid needed for the synthesis of polysialic acid. This molecule regulates the adhesive properties of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM1). ST8SIA4 protein belongs to glycosyltransferase family 29 and is a type II membrane protein likely found in the Golgi apparatus. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified for this gene.
ST8SIA4 catalyzes the transfer of a sialic acid from a CMP-linked sialic acid donor onto a terminal alpha-2,3-, alpha-2,6-, or alpha-2,8-linked sialic acid of an N-linked glycan protein acceptor through alpha-2,8-linkages. This process is involved in the synthesis of polysialic acid on various sialylated N-acetyllactosaminyl oligosaccharides, including NCAM1 N-glycans, FETUB N-glycans and AHSG. Alpha-2,3-linked sialic acid is a preferred acceptor over alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid.
ST8SIA4 is also known as PST, PST1, SIAT8-D, SIAT8D, ST8SIA-IV, ST8SiaIV.
