ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 3 (ST3GAL3)

ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 3 (ST3GAL3) is a type II Golgi membrane enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from CMP-sialic acid to galactose-containing substrates, primarily synthesizing sialyl Lewis a and x epitopes on glycoproteins and glycolipids[1][3]. It plays a critical role in cellular communication, immune modulation, inflammation, and proper brain function, including cognitive development[3]. Mutations in the *ST3GAL3* gene can cause congenital disorders of glycosylation, most notably forms of intellectual disability without other major syndromic features[1][3]. ST3GAL3 is implicated in inflammatory pathways such as rheumatoid arthritis via activation of the TLR9/MyD88 signaling axis, promoting cytokine production and fibroblast-like synoviocyte proliferation[2]. The enzyme is a member of glycosyltransferase family 29 and is part of the broader sialyltransferase superfamily[1]. No approved drugs are known to directly target ST3GAL3, but it may emerge as a therapeutic target for modulating abnormal glycosylation in rare genetic disease or inhibiting inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis[2]. Key challenges in therapeutic targeting involve specificity, as glycosylation is fundamental to many critical biological processes.

Other names

SIAT6Alpha 2,3-ST 3ST3GalIIIBeta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 3Gal beta-1,3(4) GlcNAc alpha-2,3 sialyltransferaseN-acetyllactosaminide alpha-2,3-sialyltransferaseST3Gal IIIST3NSialyltransferase 6DEE15EIEE15MRT12ST3GALII

Enzyme inhibition or gene silencing modulates the TLR9/MyD88 signaling pathway and reduces inflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloprotease production