Exploration and exploitation of the uncommon pH profile of the dynamic covalent interactions between boronic acids and N-acetylneuraminic acids

In this review, the chemical mechanisms behind the interactions between boronic acids and N-acetylneuraminic acids, which have been widely utilized in biomedicine in recent decades, will be examined. It will also be highlighted that the affinity of boronic acids for N-acetylneuraminic acids is dependent on pH and is complementary to their...

Production of nonulosonic acids in the extracellular polymeric substances of “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis”

Nonulosonic acids (NulOs) are a family of acidic carbohydrates with a nine-carbon backbone, which include different related structures, such as sialic acids. They have mainly been studied for their relevance in animal cells and pathogenic bacteria. Recently, sialic acids have been discovered as an important compound in the extracellular...

Sialic acids: An important family of carbohydrates overlooked in environmental biofilms

Sialic acids in the structural matrix of biofilms developing in engineered water systems constitute a potential target in the battle against biofouling. This report focuses specifically on the presence of sialic acids as part of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of biofilms forming in cooling towers and the potential effect of...

Sialic acids in the extracellular polymeric substances of seawater-adapted aerobic granular sludge

Sialic acids have been discovered in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of seawater-adapted aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Sialic acids are a group of monosaccharides with a nine-carbon backbone, commonly found in mammalian cells and pathogenic bacteria, and frequently described to protect EPS molecules and cells from attack by...