Sialyltransferase 8C (SIAT8C)

ST8SIA3 belongs to a family of sialyltransferases that form sialyl-alpha-2,8-sialyl-R linkages at the nonreducing termini of glycoconjugates.ST8SIA3 contains an N-terminal signal/membrane-anchoring domain, followed by a central sialyl L motif and a sialyl S motif.

The deduced 380-amino acid protein has a type II transmembrane topology and 3 potential N-glycosylation sites. ST8SIA3 shares 96% amino acid identity with mouse St8sia3. Northern blot analysis of adult and fetal tissues detected an 11-kb transcript mainly expressed in fetal and adult brain. A 5.5-kb transcript was also expressed in fetal liver. The pattern of human ST8SIA3 expression was distinct from that found for mouse St8sia3.