Sialoadhesin is a sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec),
expressed on subsets of macrophages. It is a model system for Siglec
receptor-mediated cell surface interactions through binding of sialylated
glycoconjugates. The N-terminal sialoadhesin domain can mediate sialic
acid-binding on its own. The structure of this domain has been determined in
complex with a sialic acid-containing heptapeptide,
(Ala-Gly-His-Thr(Neu5Ac)-Trp-Gly-His). The affinity of sialoadhesin for this
ligand is four times higher than the affinity for the natural linkage
2,3'-sialyllactose. The structure of the glycopeptide complex suggests
strategies for ligand optimization and provides possible explanations for the
observed differences in specificities among the Siglecs.