Alpha-galactosidase A in vascular disease

Peter F Bodary1, James A Shayman, Daniel T Eitzman

  • 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit MI 48202, USA.

Insights

Fabry disease, caused by alpha-galactosidase A deficiency, leads to harmful glycosphingolipid buildup. This review explores how GLA deficiency may contribute to premature macrovascular events like stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Vascular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Fabry disease results from alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) deficiency, causing glycosphingolipid accumulation.
  • This accumulation leads to multiorgan pathology, including microvascular complications.
  • Premature macrovascular events like stroke are also associated with GLA deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review potential mechanisms linking GLA deficiency to macrovascular disease.
  • To explore the role of glycosphingolipid metabolism abnormalities in vascular complications.
  • To discuss findings from a mouse model of GLA deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on GLA deficiency and vascular disease.
  • Analysis of data from a mouse model of alpha-galactosidase A deficiency.
  • Investigation of glycosphingolipid metabolism pathways.

Main Results:

  • GLA deficiency contributes to vascular pathology through glycosphingolipid accumulation.
  • Mechanisms linking GLA deficiency to macrovascular events require further elucidation.
  • Mouse models provide insights into GLA's role in vascular complications.

Conclusions:

  • GLA deficiency is implicated in both microvascular and macrovascular disease.
  • Understanding these pathways is crucial for managing Fabry disease complications.
  • Further research is needed to fully clarify GLA's impact on the vasculature.

Related Concept Videos

Glucose Transporters01:27

Glucose Transporters

Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
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:
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors01:19

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are typically...
Proteoglycans01:05

Proteoglycans

Glycans, a class of complex heterogeneous molecules, can be covalently attached to proteins to form glycosylated proteins that regulate various physiological and pathological processes. Glycosylated proteins or glycoproteins comprise N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides. O-glycosylation is the most common type of protein glycosylation. Here, glycans attach to the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl groups of Serine or Threonine residues. O-linked glycosylation occurs later in protein processing,...