Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

In Vitro Enzyme Measurement to Test Pharmacological Chaperone Responsiveness in Fabry and Pompe Disease
Published on: December 20, 2017
Acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency (Pompe disease)
Tokiko Fukuda1, Ashley Roberts, Paul H Plotz
1Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Enzyme replacement therapy using recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase (alglucosidase alfa) offers new hope for Pompe disease patients. This review examines the benefits and limitations of this groundbreaking treatment for glycogen storage disorder.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Enzymology
Background:
- Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase.
- Glycogen accumulates in lysosomes, primarily affecting cardiac and skeletal muscles.
- Complete enzyme deficiency leads to fatal cardiomyopathy and myopathy in infants, while partial deficiency causes progressive skeletal muscle myopathy and respiratory issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development and approval of recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase for Pompe disease.
- To discuss the therapeutic benefits of alglucosidase alfa.
- To outline the shortcomings and challenges associated with the new enzyme replacement therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Pompe disease and alglucosidase alfa.
- Analysis of clinical trial data and published research on enzyme replacement therapy.
- Synthesis of information regarding the efficacy and safety of recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase.
Main Results:
- Recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase (alglucosidase alfa) is the first approved treatment for Pompe disease.
- Enzyme replacement therapy demonstrates benefits in managing glycogen accumulation in affected tissues.
- The therapy has limitations that require further investigation and management strategies.
Conclusions:
- Alglucosidase alfa represents a significant advancement in Pompe disease treatment.
- While beneficial, the therapy's effectiveness and long-term outcomes require ongoing evaluation.
- Further research is needed to optimize enzyme replacement strategies and address treatment challenges.
More Related Videos
06:02Experimental Approaches for Biochemical Analysis of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Its Disease-associated Variants
Published on: November 28, 2025
06:13Determination of Glucan Chain Length Distribution of Glycogen Using the Fluorophore-Assisted Carbohydrate Electrophoresis (FACE) Method
Published on: March 31, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Glucose Transporters
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Lysosomal Hydrolases
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...