Glycoside hydrolase family 34

In molecular biology, glycoside hydrolase family 34 is a family of glycoside hydrolases.

Glycoside hydrolases EC 3.2.1. are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycoside hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of >100 different families. This classification is available on the CAZy(http://www.cazy.org/GH1.html) web site, and also discussed at CAZypedia, an online encyclopedia of carbohydrate active enzymes.

Glycoside hydrolase family 34 CAZY GH_34 comprises enzymes with only one known activity; sialidase or neuraminidase EC 3.2.1.18. Neuraminidases cleave the terminal sialic acid residues from carbohydrate chains in glycoproteins. Sialic acid is a negatively charged sugar associated with the protein and lipid portions of lipoproteins. In Influenza virus, neuraminidases prevent self-aggregation by removing the carbohydrate from the viral envelope thus facilitating the mobility of the virus to and from the site of infection. Antiviral agents that inhibit influenza viral neuraminidase activity are of major importance in the control of influenza.