Uniquely human evolution of sialic acid genetics and biology

[AlaskaDenise]

There are several articles related to the topic of this one paper.

I entered this topic via an article entitled "Sugar Molecule Links Red Meat Consumption With Cancer". It describes the existance of a somewhat unique human genetic characteristic regarding this sugar that interacts with our immune system.

A condensed explanation was found in Wikipedia here: N-Glycolylneuraminic acid. From that article:

Effects on humans

Even though Neu5Gc cannot be produced by humans, it is still reported to be found in human cancers and fetal samples. This suggests that these Neu5Gc molecules must enter the human pathways through external sources, like through diets. As found in the observation of cultured human cells, the cells expressed Neu5Gc due to their uptake of animal products in the medium. By macropinocytosis, the sialic acid can be transferred to the cytosol by a sialin transporter. Due to the fact that Neu5Gc differs from the human Neu5Ac by only one oxygen atom, cells will uptake the molecule as if it were native to the cell. Although the biochemical pathways don’t recognize this molecule as foreign, the immune system does, which can bring about many problems. Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between red meat consumption and increased risks of many diseases. These diseases include carcinomas, atherosclerosis, and type-2 diabetes. Although not explicitly proven, it is suggested that it is the uptake of Neu5Gc from this diet that aggravates these diseases. Because of the anti-Neu5Gc antibodies that the human body carries, ingestion of Neu5Gc causes chronic inflammation.[SUP][4] [/SUP]

Following the link about chronic inflammation from eating red meat, I found this PNAS article: Uniquely human evolution of sialic acid genetics and biology. From part of the Abstract:

Abstract

Darwinian evolution of humans from our common ancestors with nonhuman primates involved many gene–environment interactions at the population level, and the resulting human-specific genetic changes must contribute to the “Human Condition.” Recent data indicate that the biology of sialic acids (which directly involves less than 60 genes) shows more than 10 uniquely human genetic changes in comparison with our closest evolutionary relatives. Known outcomes are tissue-specific changes in abundant cell-surface glycans, changes in specificity and/or expression of multiple proteins that recognize these glycans, and novel pathogen regimes......

So naturally, my next step is to search FluTrackers for "Neu5Gc", and up pops 9 links (some go back to 2009) with connections to influenza, including:

Nat.Com:Ferrets exclusively synthesize Neu5Ac and express naturally humanized influenza A virus receptors

So...can we posit that eating excessive red meat & other mammalian foods my predispose humans to an influenza infection???

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[gsgs]

200 different cell types in a human ...
some alpha 2-3 , some alpha 2-6 , some both