The enzyme has been utilized to synthesize CMP-sialic acid and its derivatives.
Cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-Sialic Acid Synthetase from Neisseria meningitidis group B is encoded in neuA gene. The protein has a molecular weight of 24.8 kDa.
Cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-sialic acid synthetase catalyses the conversion of N?acetylneuraminic acid (NeuNAc) to CMP-NeuNAc. CMP-sialic acid synthetase has globular α/β domain and is categorised under αβα three-layered sandwich fold. The dimerization domain aids the interaction between the monomers. It also has mononucleotide binding and NeuAc binding pocket. Mg2+ is essential for the catalytic functionality of CMP-sialic acid synthetase.