Abstract

Sialyltransferases are a subset of glycosyltransferases catalyzing the transfer of sialic acid (Sia) residues from an activated sugar donor onto glycoconjugates. The aim of this chapter is to summarize in a comprehensive review what is known about vertebrate sialyltransferases structural features, the lessons drawn from molecular biology and the production of recombinant proteins and to explore the relationships between their primary structure and function. Insights into vertebrate sialyltransferases origin and evolution using bioinformatic approaches, screening of nucleotide databases of various animal organisms (vertebrates and invertebrates), molecular phylogeny and phylogenomic will be discussed.