Affinity chromatography of sialoglycoproteins,utilising the interaction of serotonin with N-acetylneuraminic acid and its derivatives

Serotonin, immobilised on Sepharose 4B, has been used to study the affinity chromatography of neuraminic acid and its derivatives. Free N-acetylneuraminic acid and oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins containing that sugar are specifically bound to the columns. Removal of neuraminic acid from sialoglyco-conjugates, or modification of the neuraminic acid residues by periodate oxidation, abolishes their ability to bind to the ligand. The presence of the N-acetyl group, but not the N-glycolyl group, and the integrity of the side chain (C-7–C-9) of the neuraminic acid are essential for binding to serotonin.