Sialic acids, commonly present as terminal carbohydrates on glycoconjugates, are essential for a variety of cellular functions including cell adhesion and signal recognition, as well as the formation and progression of tumors. 3-Deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid is a deaminated sialic acid that was first identified at the nonreducing ends of oligosialyl chains in rainbow trout egg glycoprotein. It is thought to be a precursor for the biosynthesis of other members of the sialic acid family. 3-Deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid can be used to analyze nonulosonic acid residues in polysialoglycoproteins.
