Sialic acids (Sia) play major roles in glycan-mediated recognition/interaction
processes, which are mediated by various intrinsic and extrinsic sialic acid-binding
proteins. Cells therefore require fine-tuned mechanisms to regulate cell-surface
expression of sialoglycoconjugates. In mammalian cells, there are 4 distinct sialidases,
termed NEU1, NEU2, NEU3 and NEU4, involved in the removal of sialic acid residues
from glycoconjugates; they play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes. In this
chapter we summarize our current knowledge on mammalian sialidases.
Keywords: Sialidases, neuraminidases, NEU1, NEU2, NEU3, NEU4,
mammalian, sialic acid catabolism, 4-methylumbelliferyl neuraminic acid,
sialidase subcellular localizations.
