Solubilisation and properties of the sialate-4-O-acetyltransferase from guinea pig liver.

The O-acetylation of sialic acids turns out to be one of the most important modifications that influence the diverse biological and pathophysiological properties of glycoconjugates in animals and microorganisms. To understand the functions of this esterification, knowledge of the properties, structures and regulation of expression of the enzymes involved is essential. Attempts to solubilise, purify or clone the gene of one of the sialate-O-acetyltransferases have failed so far.