N-Glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a nonhuman sialic acid
[1] molecule synthesized in pigs but not in humans, that has a role as a mammalian metabolite and an antigen. This hydroxylated form of sialic acid, specifically N-acetylneuraminic acid, features a glycolyl substituent on nitrogen and a beta-configuration at the anomeric center. The biosynthesis of N-glycolylneuraminic acid involves the enzymatic activity of cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminate (CMP-Neu5Ac) hydroxylase.
In humans, the absence of endogenous production results from a gene mutation affecting CMP-Neu5Ac hydroxylase, the enzyme responsible for converting N-acetylneuraminic acid into Neu5Gc. However, Neu5Gc can accumulate in human cells through external ingestion from dietary sources like red meat and dairy products. N-Glycolylneuraminic acid is a versatile compound that finds application in cell biology, metabolomics and biochemical research.