Sialyltransferase: a novel acute-phase reactant.

1. Proteins that are released into the circulation in elevated amounts in injured mammals are referred to as acute-phase reactants. Most are liver synthesized glycoproteins of the secretable type. However, Gal-beta(1-->4)-GlcNAc-alpha(2-->6)-sialyltransferase (EC 2.4.99.1) is a novel acute-phase reactant since it is a Golgi membrane-bound enzyme rather than a secretable glycoprotein. 2. The role of glucocorticoids and cytokines in the control of synthesis and expression of acute-phase glycoproteins, including sialyltransferase, is discussed. 3. The acute-phase behaviour of Gal-beta(1-->4)-GlcNAc-alpha(2-->6)-sialyltransferase is dependent on the release of the enzyme from the Golgi in the acute-phase state. The mechanism of release of a catalytically active form of the enzyme is described.