Expression of 9- O - and 7,9- O -Acetyl Modified Sialic Acid in Cells and Their Effects on Influenza Viruses

Sialic acids are key glycans that are involved in many different normal cellular functions, as well as being receptors for many pathogens. However, Sia come in diverse chemically modified forms. Here, we examined and manipulated the expression of 7,9- O - and 9- O -acetyl modified Sia on cells commonly used in influenza virus and other research by engineering the enzymes that produce or remove the acetyl groups.