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In Vitro Enzyme Measurement to Test Pharmacological Chaperone Responsiveness in Fabry and Pompe Disease

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alpha-Galactosidase activity in human saliva.

Jeong-Kyu Oh¹, Jeong-Yun Lee, Hee-Kyung Park

¹Department of Oral Medicine & Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry & Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Yunkeun-Dong 28, Seoul 110-749, Republic of Korea.

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Summary

Alpha-galactosidase activity, primarily isozyme A, is present in human saliva. This enzyme activity in whole saliva did not vary by blood type or secretor status.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Human Physiology

Background:

Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme involved in various biological processes.
Saliva composition can be influenced by individual factors such as blood type and secretor status.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the presence and characteristics of alpha-galactosidase activity in human whole and glandular saliva.
To investigate potential correlations between alpha-galactosidase activity, blood type, and secretor status.

Main Methods:

Assayed alpha-galactosidase activity in unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) using a specific substrate.
Determined secretor status via immunoblotting.
Compared alpha-galactosidase activity in whole versus glandular saliva and analyzed variations based on gender, blood type, and sample clarification.

Main Results:

Alpha-galactosidase activity, predominantly isozyme A, was detected in UWS.
No significant differences in activity were observed based on gender, blood type, or secretor status.
Activity was higher in unclarified UWS samples and exhibited daily fluctuations; whole saliva showed higher activity than glandular saliva.

Conclusions:

Human whole and glandular saliva contain alpha-galactosidase activity, mainly as isozyme A.
Alpha-galactosidase activity in UWS is independent of blood type and secretor status.