Sialic acid history

Sialic acids comprise a family of derivatives of neuraminic acid (5-amino-3,5-dideoxy-D-g/jcero-D-ga/ cto-nonulosonic acid) occurring widespread in nature, especially in the animal kingdom. From an evolutionary point of view, they probably have a long history, dating back to precambrian times, as they have already been found in Echinodermata (chapter B). It took a number of years (1936-1962) to establish the structure of N-acetylneuraminic acid by chemical and enzymic means, as has been reviewed by Gottschalk (1972), Ledeen and Yu (1976) and Tuppy and Gottschalk (1972). 

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