Sialyltransferase 8E (SIAT8E)

SIAT8E is a type II membrane protein that may be present in the Golgi apparatus. The encoded protein, which is a member of glycosyltransferase family 29, may be involved in the synthesis of gangliosides GD1c, GT1a, GQ1b, and GT3 from GD1a, GT1b, GM1b, and GD3, respectively.

The deduced 376-amino acid protein shares 84% sequence identity with the mouse homolog. Northern blot analysis detected expression of 11- and 2.5-kb transcripts in fetal and adult brain; the smaller transcript was also expressed in adult heart and skeletal muscle. SIAT8E exhibited activity toward gangliosides GM1b, GD1a, GD3, and GT1b, but not toward GM3.