Every cell in nature carries a rich surface coat of glycans, its glycocalyx, which constitutes
the cell's interface with its environment. In eukaryotes, the glycocalyx is composed of …

Cell surface glycosylation is dynamic and often changes in response to cellular
differentiation under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. Altered glycosylation on …

The rapid growth of infant brains places an exceptionally high demand on the supply of
nutrients from the diet, particularly for preterm infants. Sialic acid (Sia) is an essential …

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a linear homopolymer of α2-8-N acetylneuraminic acid whose major
carrier in vertebrates is the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). PSA serves as a potent …

It has long been known that cancer cells often express more heavily sialylated glycans on
their surface and that this feature sometimes correlates with invasion. It is now well …

Poly-α2, 8-sialic acid (polySia) is a unique modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule,
NCAM, tightly associated with neural development and plasticity. However, the vital role …

The human brain grows rapidly in early life which requires adequate nutrition. Human milk
provides optimal nutrition for the develo** brain, and breastfeeding significantly improves …

As an anti-adhesive, a reservoir for key biological molecules, and a modulator of signaling,
polysialic acid (polySia) is critical for nervous system development and maintenance …

Functional properties of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) are strongly influenced
by polysialylation. We used gene-targeting to generate mice lacking ST8SiaIV/PST-1, one of …

Neurogenesis continues to occur in the adult hippocampus, although many of the newborn
cells degenerate 1–2 weeks after birth. The number and survival of newborn cells are …