Review: the immunochemical analysis of enzyme from mucopolysaccharidoses patients

The immunochemical analysis of enzyme from mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) patients is aimed at defining the level and nature of the enzymically deficient protein produced by specific gene mutations. Immunochemical techniques allow purification of enzyme, characterization of the composite molecular species, measurement of cellular protein content, investigation of protein biosynthesis, determination of subcellular distribution, as well as information on protein structure and folding. This review focuses on the application of immunochemical techniques to the study of the aberrant protein produced in skin fibroblast cells derived from MPS patients. The analysis of enzyme protein has been applied to phenotype expression within single enzyme deficiency disorders. It is proposed that reliable prediction of MPS patient phenotype may require a combined approach utilizing immunochemical, biochemical, cell biological and gene analysis. However, this review will address the structure and nature of the protein produced in cells from MPS patients, the biological activity of this protein, and the incorporation of the protein into, and location within, subcellular fractions.