Beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ST6GAL1 gene.[5]
The protein encoded by this gene is a type II membrane protein that catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from CMP-sialic acid to galactose-containing substrates. The encoded protein, which is normally found in the Golgi but which can be proteolytically processed to a soluble form, is involved in the generation of the cell-surface carbohydrate determinants and differentiation antigens HB-6, CDw75, and CD76. This protein is a member of glycosyltransferase family 29. Three transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene.[6]
Transcripts of ST6GAL1 are found in mouse high endothelial cells of mesenteric lymph node and Peyer's patches, and it could be involved in the B cell homing to Peyer's patches.[7] ST6GAL1 expression has also shown to be upregulated in several types of cancers and has been shown to haves roles in cancer survival and metastasis.[8]