Catalyzes the removal of sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) moieties from glycoproteins and glycolipids. To be active, it is strictly dependent on its presence in the multienzyme complex. Appears to have a preference for alpha 2-3 and alpha 2-6 sialyl linkage.
Subcellular locations: Lysosome membrane, Lysosome lumen, Cell membrane, Cytoplasmic vesicle, Lysosome
Localized not only on the inner side of the lysosomal membrane and in the lysosomal lumen, but also on the plasma membrane and in intracellular vesicles.
Highly expressed in pancreas, followed by skeletal muscle, kidney, placenta, heart, lung and liver. Weakly expressed in brain.