Synthesis of Sialic Acid in Plants

Abstract

A method of synthesizing sialic acid in plants, and plants capable of synthesizing sialic acid is provided. Furthermore, a method of producing sialylated protein in a plant is also provided. The method to synthesize sialic acid comprises providing a plant comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding N-acetyl neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) synthase or Neu5Ac lyase, and expressing the nucleotide sequence thereby synthesizing sialic acid. The plant may also co-express a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more than one of an epimerase, a CMP-Neu5 Ac synthase, a CMP-Neu5Ac transporter and a sialyltransferase.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A plant, plant cell or a seed comprising, a nucleotide sequence encoding a bacterial N-acetyl neuraminic acid lyase utilizing N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, or a bacterial N-acetyl neuraminic acid synthase utilizing N-acetyl-D-mannosamine as a substrate, the nucleotide sequence operatively linked with a regulatory region that is active in the plant. 
     
     
         32 . The plant, plant cell or seed of claim  1 , wherein the regulatory region is selected from the group consisting of a constitutive promoter, an inducible promoter, a tissue specific promoter, and a developmental promoter.