Comparative biochemistry of mammalian arylsulfatases A and B

1. Arylsulfatases A and B occurred as a major anionic and cationic isozyme, respectively, among eleven eutherian mammalian species. 2. Minor anionic arylsulfatase B isozymes were observed in rodents, dog, whale and pig, and were either monomeric (vole, Mr = 67 +/- 2 kDa), an apparent aggregate (dog, whale, pig; Mr = 192 +/- 10 kDa), or both (rat, mouse; monomeric Mr = 57 +/- 2 kDa; apparent dimeric Mr = 114 +/- 3 kDa). 3. Minor cationic arylsulfatase A isozymes were isolated from the deer, whale and pig. 4. Opossum arylsulfatases A and B were both anionic, had similar relative molecular weights, were not inhibited by silver, and were not precipitated by anti-murine arylsulfatase B nor anti-bovine arylsulfatase A IgG preparations.