[Glycogenosis type II; acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency]

Knowledge of the general enzymology of lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase (acid maltase) including that of the intracellular processing mechanism and of the cDNA sequence has advanced recently. Genetic heterogeneity of the mRNA of acid alpha-glucosidase deficient patients has also been reported. Referring to these recent advances, and based on our previously reported results, the pathologic aspects of the disease are reviewed. Heterogeneity of the enzyme molecules themselves and their characteristics in various tissues are also demonstrated.