Two photolabile thioglycosides (8 and 9) were synthesized by Koenigs-Knorr type glycosylation. These compounds, being enzyme-resistant analogues of N-acetylhexosaminides, were shown to be good competitive inhibitors of lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase (2-acetamido-2-deoxy- beta-D-hexoside acetamidodeoxyhexohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.52) action. For photoaffinity labeling 3H-labeled 8a was prepared by enzymatic oxidation with galactose oxidase followed by reduction with sodium [3H]borohydride. Compound 8a, when photolyzed in the presence of hexosaminidase, specifically labeled both subunits of the enzyme.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Partial enzyme deficiencies: residual activities and the development of neurological disorders.

A theoretical discussion on the correlation between residual enzyme activities in inherited enzyme deficiencies and the development of neurological disorders is presented, based on the kinetic analysis of a simple model. Several metabolic diseases with wide spectra of clinical presentation are discussed in relation to this model.

Enzymes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The glycosphingolipidoses-from disease to basic principles of metabolism.

The glycosphingolipidoses are a set of diseases that are caused by defects in the lysosomal degradation of glycolipids derived from the plasma membrane. By investigating the molecular bases of the diseases, basic principles of storage disease pathology and of membrane digestion were discovered. The generation of mouse models has facilitated the development of new and promising therapeutic strategies for these diseases, most of which are not treatable at present. Lately, the discovery of the importance of glycosphingolipid metabolism for skin development has opened a new and interesting field.

Animals↗