2-O-(p-Nitrophenyl)-α-D-N-glycolylneuraminic Acid Methyl Ester

2-O-(p-Nitrophenyl)-α-D-N-glycolylneuraminic Acid Methyl Ester (pNP-Neu5GcMe) is a synthetic derivative of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a sialic acid commonly found in mammalian tissues. This compound serves as a valuable tool in glycobiology research, particularly in studies focusing on sialic acid metabolism and sialidase enzymes. Due to its structural resemblance to Neu5Gc, pNP-Neu5GcMe is utilized as a substrate for sialidases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal sialic acid residues from glycoconjugates. Through enzymatic hydrolysis assays, pNP-Neu5GcMe enables the investigation of sialidase substrate specificity and catalytic mechanisms, providing insights into the role of sialic acids in various biological processes. Additionally, this compound has been instrumental in the development of high-throughput screening assays for the discovery and characterization of sialidase inhibitors, offering potential applications in drug discovery and the treatment of sialic acid-related disorders. Furthermore, its strategic use in glycan profiling studies and carbohydrate microarray assays facilitates the elucidation of sialic acid-mediated interactions and the development of targeted approaches for studying sialic acid-dependent biological phenomena. Overall, pNP-Neu5GcMe continues to be a valuable tool in deciphering the complex mechanisms underlying sialic acid biology and in the development of research methodologies for diverse glycobiology studies.