abstract |
The present invention relates to a novel enzyme (trans-sialidase) that transfers sialic acid from a donor molecule to an acceptor molecule. The enzyme is isolated from the protozoan Congo trypanosomes. The present invention further includes a functional equivalent of the enzyme, a nucleic acid sequence and an amino acid sequence encoding the enzyme and a functional equivalent thereof, an expression construct and vector containing the sequence, a recombinant microorganism having the encoding nucleic acid sequence of the invention, A method of recombinant production of the enzyme of the invention, a method of isolation of the enzyme from Congo trypanosoma, a method of enzymatic sialylation of an acceptor molecule using the enzyme of the invention, an effector of the trans-sialidase of the invention, and a vaccine, It relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, enzymes, effectors or sialylated products for the manufacture of a medicament, food or food additive and to the product obtained by the method of the invention. |