3Fax-Neu5Ac

3Fax-Neu5Ac (3-fluorinated N-acetylneuraminic acid) is a cell-permeable small molecule that acts as a global inhibitor of sialyltransferases. It is a fluorinated analog of sialic acid that, upon entry into the cell, is metabolically activated to CMP-3F-Neu5Ac. This metabolite acts as a potent competitive inhibitor of various sialyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus, effectively blocking the sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids on the cell surface. In oncology research, particularly in multiple myeloma, 3Fax-Neu5Ac is utilized to reduce hypersialylation, thereby disrupting the interaction between sialic acids and inhibitory Siglec receptors (such as Siglec-6) on immune cells. This blockade helps to reverse immune dysfunction, activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), and enhance T-cell-mediated anti-tumor activity.

Other names

3-fluorinated N-acetylneuraminic acid3-fluoro-N-acetylneuraminic acid3-fluoro-sialic acidsialyltransferase inhibitor