N-Acetylgalactosamine

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N-Acetylgalactosamine
IUPAC name	2-(Acetylamino)-2-deoxy-D-galactose
Other names	2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose N-Acetylchondrosamine GalNAc
Molecular formula	C8H15NO6
Identifiers
CAS number	[31022-50-1]
PubChem	84265
SMILES	O[C@@H](C(CO)O[C@H](O)[C@H]1NC(C)=O)[C@H]1O
Properties
Molar mass	221.208
Melting point	172-173 °C
Hazards
S-phrases	S24/25
Related compounds
Related Monosaccharide	N-Acetylglucosamine
Related compounds	Galactosamine Galactose
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

N-Acetylgalactosamine (also called GalNAc, 2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranose or N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine) is a monosaccharide derivative of galactose.

[edit] Function

In humans it is the terminal carbohydrate forming the antigen of blood group A.

It is typically the first monosaccharide that connects serine or threonine in particular forms of protein O-glycosylation.

N-Acetylgalactosamine is necessary for intercellular communication, and is concentrated in sensory nerve structures of both humans and animals.

[edit] See also

• Galactosamine
• Globoside