Glycosidases in human blood plasma and urine: molecular forms and activity levels

The isoelectric focusing patterns and pH activity curves of five glycosidase enzymes in blood plasma and urine were studied. This study demonstrated the presence of a single molecular form in a-glucosidase and of two molecular forms of the enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, Nacety1-beta -D-galactosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase in both plasma and urine. Beta-Galactosidase existed as a single major molecular form in plasma and at least two molecular forms in urine. Specific activity of each enzyme was determined in plasma and urine The Validity of taking the ratio between two enzyme activities as an index for screening of genetic disease is discussed