sialic acid

noun

: any of a group of reducing amido acids that are essentially carbohydrates and are found especially as components of blood glycoproteins and mucoproteins

Examples of sialic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Like different picks in a locksmith’s tool, the 17 known subtypes of hemagglutinin, a surface protein on influenza strains, match different sialic acid receptors on a host cell. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2013 In the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers genetically modified mice to resemble humans in the deficiency of a sialic acid called Neu5Gc. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2019 This type of linkage makes the sialic acid and galactose stick straight up. Quanta Magazine, 25 Feb. 2020 The flu virus normally infects cells in the lungs by binding through its haemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins to sialic acid on the surface of lung cells. Neil Savage, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2019 Prehuman ancestors lost the ability to make a sugar molecule called a sialic acid. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2019 These include overactive white blood cells and a tendency to diabetes in mice lacking the sialic acid. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2019 This gene included a sialic acid sugar molecule called Neu5Gc. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 22 July 2019 This area docks with protrusions of carbohydrate molecules called sialic acids that bristle from cells. Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 2 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Greek sialon saliva

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sialic acid was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near sialic acid

Cite this Entry

“Sialic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sialic%20acid. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

sialic acid

noun
si·​al·​ic acid (ˌ)sī-ˌal-ik- How to pronounce sialic acid (audio)
: any of a group of reducing amido acids that are essentially carbohydrates and are found especially as components of blood glycoproteins and mucoproteins
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