This gene encodes a member of the N-acetylneuraminate lyase sub-family of (beta/alpha)(8)-barrel enzymes. N-acetylneuraminate lyases regulate cellular concentrations of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (sialic acid) by mediating the reversible conversion of sialic acid into N-acetylmannosamine and pyruvate. A pseudogene of this gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 2. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2011].
Function: Catalyzes the cleavage of N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) to form pyruvate and N-acetylmannosamine via a Schiff base intermediate. It prevents sialic acids from being recycled and returning to the cell surface (By similarity).