The activity of arylsulfatase A and B on tyrosine O-sulfates

L-Tyrosine O-sulfate was hydrolyzed by pure human arylsulfatase A (arylsufate sulfohydrolase, EC 3.1.6.1). The rate of hydrolysis was 1/20 of the rate with nitrocatechol sulfate, but was comparable to the rate with cerebroside sulfate. The reaction was optimal at pH 5.3--5.5 and displayed zero order kinetics with time and enzyme concentration. The Km was about 35 mM. The enzyme showed no stereospecificity and hydrolyzed D-tyrosine O-sulfate with Km and V similar to those for the L-isomer. Arylsulfatase B was less than 5% as effective as arylsulfatase A in catalyzing the hydrolysis of the tyrosine sulfates. The daily urinary excretion of tyrosine sulfate by a patient with metachromatic leukodystrophy (arylsulfatase A deficiency) was comparable to the excretion by control subjects. The biological relevance of the tyrosine sulfatase activity of arylsulfatase A remains uncertain.