NanA, also known as N-acetylneuraminate lyase, belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the oxo-acid-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. NanA catalyzes the cleavage of N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid) to form pyruvate and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine. This protein was inhibited by reduction with NaBH4 in the presence of the substrate, indicating that it belongs to the Schiff-base-forming Class I aldolases. NanA was strongly inhibited by Cu2+ ions, p-chloromercuribenzoate and N-bromosuccinimide, and also inhibited competitively by the reaction product, pyruvate, and its structurally related compounds, dihydroxyacetone and DL-glyceraldehyde. Recombinant E.coli nanA protein, fused to His-tag at N-terminus, was expressed in E.coli and purified by using conventional chromatography. Synonyms: N-acetylneuraminate lyase, npl. NCBI no.: NP_417692