Biochemical abnormalities in Dyggve-Melchior-Clausen syndrome

In continuation of previous studies, which showed a catabolic defect in proteoglycan metabolism, enzymes which degrade the proteoglycan macromolecules, e.g. proteinases (cathepsin D, elastase, and cathepsin G) and glycoisidases (arabinosidase and xylosidase) have been assayed in leucocytes of DMC patients. The regulator of lysosomal proteinases, cyclic AMP and serum antiproteinases, e.g. alpha1-AT and alpha2-M, have also been assayed. The proteinases assayed were normal in DMC patients. Arabinosidase activity in leucocytes of the patients was found to be decreased three fold, while xylosidase activity was increased three fold. A four-fold increased concentration of cyclic AMP in leucocytes of the patients and an increased serum concentration of alpha2-M associated with its abnormal pattern in crossed immunoelectrophoresis have been found. The abnormality in serum alpha2-M of DMC patients may be explained by a complex formation of alpha2-M with collagenase released from the lysosomes. Finally, an abnormal peptidoglycan has been demonstrated in DMC urine.