Abstract
Glycobiology, broadly defined as the study of sugars in living systems, is becoming increasingly important for understanding the basic biology of the central nervous system (CNS) and diagnosing and devising new treatments for neurological disorders. Decades of research have uncovered many roles for both glycolipids and glycoproteins in the proper functioning of the brain; moreover many diseases are characterized by abnormalities in either the biosynthesis or catabolism of these cellular components. In many cases, however, only a rudimentary understanding of the basic biological roles of sugars in neural function exists. Similarly, methods to detect and diagnose glycosylation disorders are far from state-of-the-art compared to many facets of modern medicine. This review focuses on sialic acid, arguably the most important monosaccharide in CNS, and describes how recent advances in its manipulation by chemical and metabolic methods hold the possibility to converge with advanced instrumentation such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, diffusion tensor imaging, and single photon emission computerized tomography now used for imaging of the CNS in human subjects. Specifically, methods are under development for tagging sialic acids in living systems with contrast agents suitable for magnetic resonance imaging, in essence allowing for the functional imaging of sugars at a molecular level. One of these methods, biochemical engineering of sialic acids by use of small molecule metabolic substrates, also holds promise for the manipulation of sialic acids for the development of novel therapies for neurological disorders.
Keywords: brain development, gangliosides, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), Lectins, Cerebrospinal Fluid
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: Sialic Acid and the Central Nervous System: Perspectives on Biological Functions, Detection, Imaging Methods and Manipulation
Volume: 5 Issue: 4
Author(s): Srinivasa-Gopalan Sampathkumar, Adrienne Li and Kevin J. Yarema
Affiliation:
Keywords: brain development, gangliosides, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), Lectins, Cerebrospinal Fluid
Abstract: Glycobiology, broadly defined as the study of sugars in living systems, is becoming increasingly important for understanding the basic biology of the central nervous system (CNS) and diagnosing and devising new treatments for neurological disorders. Decades of research have uncovered many roles for both glycolipids and glycoproteins in the proper functioning of the brain; moreover many diseases are characterized by abnormalities in either the biosynthesis or catabolism of these cellular components. In many cases, however, only a rudimentary understanding of the basic biological roles of sugars in neural function exists. Similarly, methods to detect and diagnose glycosylation disorders are far from state-of-the-art compared to many facets of modern medicine. This review focuses on sialic acid, arguably the most important monosaccharide in CNS, and describes how recent advances in its manipulation by chemical and metabolic methods hold the possibility to converge with advanced instrumentation such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, diffusion tensor imaging, and single photon emission computerized tomography now used for imaging of the CNS in human subjects. Specifically, methods are under development for tagging sialic acids in living systems with contrast agents suitable for magnetic resonance imaging, in essence allowing for the functional imaging of sugars at a molecular level. One of these methods, biochemical engineering of sialic acids by use of small molecule metabolic substrates, also holds promise for the manipulation of sialic acids for the development of novel therapies for neurological disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Sampathkumar Srinivasa-Gopalan, Li Adrienne and Yarema J. Kevin, Sialic Acid and the Central Nervous System: Perspectives on Biological Functions, Detection, Imaging Methods and Manipulation, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2006; 5 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706777950729
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152706777950729 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Techniques of Drug Repurposing: Delivering a new life to Herbs & Drugs
Of late, with the adaptation of innovative approaches and integration of advancements made towards medical sciences as well as the availability of a wide range of tools; several therapeutic challenges are being translated into viable clinical solutions, with a high degree of efficacy, safety, and selectivity. With a better understanding ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Intracellular Fate of Peptide-Mediated Delivered Cargoes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Natural Molecules as Talented Inhibitors of Nucleotide Pyrophosphatases/ Phosphodiesterases (PDEs)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Epigenetic Regulators Governing Cancer Stem Cells and Epithelial- Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Dendritoma Vaccine for Cancer: A Hopeful Approach
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews miRNAs as Modulators of Cholesterol in Breast Cancer Stem Cells: An Approach to Overcome Drug Resistance in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Ozone Dosage Effect on C6 Cell Growth: in Vitro and in Vivo Tests
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Challenges in the Design of Clinically Useful Brain-targeted Drug Nanocarriers
Current Medicinal Chemistry Gene Therapy Targeting Nuclear Factor-κB: Towards Clinical Application in Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer
Current Gene Therapy MicroRNAs in Cancer Therapy: From Bench to Bedside
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Natural Products Targeting EGFR Signaling Pathways as Potential Anticancer Drugs
Current Protein & Peptide Science Novel Superactive Leptin Antagonists and their Potential Therapeutic Applications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Developments of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostics of Brain Tumor
Current Drug Metabolism NUPR1 Interacts with p53, Transcriptionally Regulates p21 and Rescues Breast Epithelial Cells from Doxorubicin-Induced Genotoxic Stress
Current Cancer Drug Targets The Integrative Network of Gene Expression, MicroRNA, Methylation and Copy Number Variation in Colon and Rectal Cancer
Current Bioinformatics Receptor Mediated Tumor Targeting: An Emerging Approach for Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Delivery PD-1/PD-Ls: A New Target for Regulating Immunopathogenesis in Central Nervous System Disorders
Current Drug Delivery Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors as Targets for Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Autophagy Regulators as Potential Cancer Therapeutic agents: A Review
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Patent Selections:
Current Biomarkers (Discontinued) Toll-Like Receptors: Cost or Benefit for Cancer?
Current Pharmaceutical Design