N-Propanoylmannosamine ( ManNProp) is prepared from N-Acetyl-D-Mannosamine (ManNAc), an unnatural precursors, interfere with cell differentiation and proliferation of neuronal cells or embryonic stem cells in several studies. application of the unnatural ManNProp influences several biological functions, which are not directly associated with known ligand-receptor relationships, but include transcription of novel genes.

Study shows that application of N-propanoylmannosamine (ManNProp) leads to a decrease in the polysialylation of the neural cell adhesion molecule in vivo, which is a marker of poor prognosis for some tumors with high metastatic potential.