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K Sandhoff

Publications and source records attributed to K Sandhoff.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Glycosphingolipid degradation and animal models of GM2-gangliosidoses.

Glycosphingolipids form cell type-specific patterns on the surface of eukaryotic cells. Degradation of glycosphingolipids requires endocytic membrane flow of plasma membrane-derived glycosphingolipids into the lysosomes as the digesting organelles. The inherited deficiencies of lysosomal hydrolases and of sphingolipid activator proteins both give rise to sphingolipid storage diseases. Recent research has focused on the mechanisms leading to selective membrane degradation in the lysosomes and on the mechanism and physiological function of sphingolipid activator proteins. The GM2-degrading system is a paradigm for activator protein-dependent lysosomal degradation. Three polypeptide chains contribute to the in vivo degradation of ganglioside GM2: the alpha- and beta-chains of the beta-hexosaminidases and the GM2 activator. Mouse models of Tay-Sachs disease (alpha-chain deficiency), Sandhoff disease (beta-chain deficiency) and GM2 activator deficiency have been described. While the phenotypes of these variants of GM2-gangliosidoses are only slightly different in humans, the animal models show drastic differences in severity and course of the diseases. The reason for this is the specificity of sialidase, which is different between mouse and human. A double-knockout mouse lacking beta-hexosaminidases A, B and S shows a phenotype of mucopolysaccharidosis and gangliosidosis. A substrate deprivation approach to therapy is discussed with respect to animal models of the GM2-gangliosidoses.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The generation and characterization of a rat neural cell line overexpressing the alpha2,6(N) sialyltransferase.

In order to examine the effects of altered protein sialylation on neural cell function, B104 rat neuroblastoma cells were stably transfected with the cDNA coding for alpha2,6(N) sialyltransferase (ST(6)N). Lectin blot analysis of the clones demonstrated an increase in staining of the Sambucus nigra lectin, which detects alpha2,6 linked sialic acid, in parallel with enzyme activity. There was a concomitant decrease in staining by the Maackia amurensis lectin which labels alpha2,3-linked sialic acid, indicating that the individual sialyltransferase enzymes may compete for penultimate galactose acceptor sites. While there was an initial increase in protein-bound sialic acid in parallel with enzyme activity, the sialylation of the cells was demonstrated to be saturable. There was an inverse relationship between cell adhesion to a fibronectin substrate and ST(6)N activity suggesting that the negatively charged sugar acts to modulate cell-substrate interaction. These cells will provide an ideal model system with which to further investigate the effect of altered sialic acid on neural cell function.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Fas/CD95/Apo-I activates the acidic sphingomyelinase via caspases.

Fas/CD95/Apo-I has been shown to stimulate a variety of molecules including several members of the caspase family and the acidic sphingomyelinase (Martin and Green 1995; Gulbins et al, 1995). Here, we demonstrate that Fas receptor-triggered activation of the acidic sphingomyelinase, consumption of sphingomyelin, release of ceramide, and subsequent activation of JNK and p38-K are regulated by caspases. Inhibition of caspases by Ac-YVAD-chloromethylketone or transient CrmA transfection prevented stimulation of acidic sphingomyelinase, release of ceramide and activation of JNK and p38-K upon Fas-receptor crosslinking. Likewise, Fas triggered apoptosis was almost completely blocked by Ac-YVAD-chloromethylketone or CrmA mediated inhibition of caspases. The results suggest a new signalling cascade from the Fas receptor via caspases to acidic sphingomyelinase, ceramide and JNK/p38-K.

Acids↗
PubMed1998

Induction of apoptosis by synthetic ceramide analogues in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.

In contrast to extracellular, long chain ceramides which comprise a structural component of the epidermal water barrier, intracellular ceramides originating from sphingomyelin hydrolysis have been shown to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis in different cell populations. To further elucidate the possible role of intracellular ceramides in human epidermis, two new cell-permeable ceramide analogues, N-thioacetylsphingosine (C2-Cer=S) and 4-dodecanoylamino-decan-5-ol (FS-5), were synthesized and tested for their ability to suppress cell growth and to induce apoptosis in immortalized human keratinocytes. It was shown that the well-investigated ceramide analogue N-acetylsphingosine (C2-Cer=O), as well as the new compound C2-Cer=S inhibited proliferation of HaCaT cells with half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 20 microg/ml and 10 microg/ml, respectively, whereas FS-5 has been potent with an IC50>40 microg/ml. Overall, all three ceramide analogues induced apoptosis in HaCaT cells as assessed by DNA-fragmentation using ELISA technique and in situ nick end labelling, thereby confirming the importance of ceramide signalling in keratinocytes.

Amides↗
PubMed1998

Recent advances in the biochemistry of sphingolipidoses.

Glycosphingolipids are ubiquitous membrane components of eukaryotic cells. They participate in various cell recognition events and can regulate enzymes and receptors within the plasma membrane. Sphingolipidoses are due to an impaired lysosomal digestion of these substances. Glycosphingolipids are degraded by the action of exohydrolases, which are supported, in the case of glycosphingolipids with short oligosaccharide chains, by sphingolipid activator proteins. Five sphingolipid activator proteins are known so far, the GM2-activator and the SAPs, SAP-A to D (also called saposins). Degradation of glycosphingolipids requires endocytic membrane flow of plasma membrane derived glycosphingolipids into the lysosomes. Recent research focused on the topology of this process and on the mechanism and physiological function of sphingolipid activator proteins. Limited knowledge is available about enzymology and topology of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis. Recently, intermediates of this metabolic pathway have been identified as novel signalling molecules. Inhibition of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis has been shown to be beneficial in the animal model of Tay-Sachs disease. Mice with disrupted genes for lysosomal hydrolases and activator proteins are useful models for known human diseases and are valuable tools for the study of glycosphingolipid metabolism, the pathogenesis of sphingolipidoses and novel therapeutic approaches.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Processing of sphingolipid activator proteins and the topology of lysosomal digestion.

Plasma membrane derived glycosphingolipids (GSLs) destined for digestion are internalized through the endocytic pathway and delivered to the lysosomes. There, GSLs are degraded by the action of exohydrolases, which are supported, in the case of GSLs with short oligosaccharide chains, by sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs). Four of the SAPs, SAP-A to -D (also called saposins) are synthesized from a single precursor protein (pSAP). Intracellular routing of pSAP and of the GM2 activator protein is only in part dependent on mannose-6-phosphate residues. Their endocytosis occurs in a carbohydrate-independent manner. The inherited deficiencies of individual activators, the GM2 activator, SAP-B, and SAP-C, as well as the deficiency of the precursor pSAP give rise to different, neuronal, white matter or visceral sphingolipid storage diseases. The analysis of cultured fibroblasts from corresponding patients suggests a new model for the topology of endocytosis and lysosomal digestion. It supports the hypothesis that endocytosis of plasma membrane-derived lipids occurs via small intraendosomal and intralysosomal vesicles and membrane structures, that are then digested within the lysosomes. In combined activator protein deficient cells nondegradable GSLs on the surface of intralysosomal vesicles protect them against lysosomal digestion. Mice with disrupted genes for activator proteins (SAP precursor -/-, GM2A -/-) as well as disrupted genes for ganglioside GM2 degrading hexosaminidases (HEXA -/-, HEXB -/-) turned out to be useful models for known human diseases whereas double knock out mice (HEXA -/- and HEXB -/-) show a new phenotype of both mucopolysaccharidosis and gangliosidosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Acidic sphingomyelinase mediates entry of N. gonorrhoeae into nonphagocytic cells.

Invasion of human mucosal cells by N. gonorrhoeae via the binding to heparansulfate proteoglycan receptors is considered a crucial event of the infection. Using different human epithelial cells and primary fibroblasts, we show here an activation of the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and acidic sphingomyelinase (ASM) by N. gonorrhoeae, resulting in the release of diacylglycerol and ceramide. Genetic and/or pharmacological blockade of ASM and PC-PLC cause inhibition of cellular invasion by N. gonorrhoeae. Complementation of ASM-deficient fibroblasts from Niemann-Pick disease patients restored N. gonorrhoeae-induced signaling and entry processes. The activation of PC-PLC and ASM, therefore, is an essential requirement for the entry of N. gonorrhoeae into distinct nonphagocytic human cell types including several epithelial cells and primary fibroblasts.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Biochemistry of glycosphingolipid degradation.

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) form cell-type-specific patterns on the surface of eukaryotic cells. Degradation of GSLs requires endocytotic membrane flow of plasma membrane-derived GSLs into the lysosomes as the digesting organelles. Recent research focused on the mechanisms leading to selective membrane degradation in the lysosomes and on the mechanism and physiological function of sphingolipid activator proteins, which are needed for degradation of GSLs with short oligosaccharide chains in addition to hydrolysing enzymes. Both, the inherited deficiency of lysosomal hydrolases and of sphingolipid activator proteins give rise to sphingolipid storage diseases. In some cases it was possible to correlate residual enzyme activities with the onset and the course of the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of ceramide synthesis. A dihydroceramide desaturase introduces the 4,5-trans-double bond of sphingosine at the level of dihydroceramide.

Ceramide (N-acylsphingosine) biosynthesis has been proposed to involve introduction of the 4,5-trans-double bond of sphingosine after synthesis of dihydroceramide (i.e. N-acylsphinganine). For the first time, the in vitro conversion of dihydroceramide to ceramide has been demonstrated using rat liver microsomes and N-[1-14C]octanoyl-D-erythro-sphinganine (st-H2Cer) and either NADH or NADPH as co-substrate; the apparent Km values for st-H2Cer and NADH were 340 and 120 microM, respectively. Molecular oxygen is required for enzymatic activity, and cyanide, divalent copper, as well as antibodies raised against cytochrome b5 are inhibitory, which suggests that this enzyme should be named dihydroceramide desaturase based on these similarities with the mechanism of delta9-desaturase (stearoyl-CoA desaturase). Factors that influenced the activity of dihydroceramide desaturase include the alkyl chain length of the sphingoid base (in the order C18 > C12 > C8) and fatty acid (C8 > C18); the stereochemistry of the sphingoid base (D-erythro- > L-threo-dihydroceramides); the nature of the headgroup, with the highest activity with dihydroceramide, but some (approximately 20%) activity with dihydroglucosylceramide, however); and the ability to utilize alternative reductants (ascorbic acid could substitute for a reduced pyridine nucleotide, but was inhibitory at higher concentrations). Dihydroceramide desaturase was inhibited by dithiothreitol, which suggests that it might be possible to alter ceramide synthesis by varying the thiol status of hepatocytes. Consistent with this hypothesis, when rat hepatocytes were cultured in varying concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (5 and 10 mM), there was a decrease in the relative incorporation of [14C]serine into [14C]ceramide. These studies have conclusively established the pathway of ceramide synthesis via desaturation of dihydroceramide and have uncovered several properties of this reaction that warrant further consideration for their relevance to both sphingolipid metabolism and signaling.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Mouse model of GM2 activator deficiency manifests cerebellar pathology and motor impairment.

The GM2 activator deficiency (also known as the AB variant), Tay-Sachs disease, and Sandhoff disease are the major forms of the GM2 gangliosidoses, disorders caused by defective degradation of GM2 ganglioside. Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases are caused by mutations in the genes (HEXA and HEXB) encoding the subunits of beta-hexosaminidase A. The GM2 activator deficiency is caused by mutations in the GM2A gene encoding the GM2 activator protein. For degradation of GM2 ganglioside by beta-hexosamindase A, the GM2 activator protein must participate by forming a soluble complex with the ganglioside. In each of the disorders, GM2 ganglioside and related lipids accumulate to pathologic levels in neuronal lysosomes, resulting in clinically similar disorders with an onset in the first year of life, progressive neurodegeneration, and death by early childhood. We previously have described mouse models of Tay-Sachs (Hexa -/-) and Sandhoff (Hexb -/-) diseases with vastly different clinical phenotypes. The Hexa -/- mice were asymptomatic whereas the Hexb -/- mice were severely affected. Through gene disruption in embryonic stem cells we now have established a mouse model of the GM2 activator deficiency that manifests an intermediate phenotype. The Gm2a -/- mice demonstrated neuronal storage but only in restricted regions of the brain (piriform, entorhinal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamic nuclei) reminiscent of the asymptomatic Tay-Sachs model mice. However, unlike the Tay-Sachs mice, the Gm2a -/- mice displayed significant storage in the cerebellum and defects in balance and coordination. The abnormal ganglioside storage in the Gm2a -/- mice consisted of GM2 with a low amount of GA2. The results demonstrate that the activator protein is required for GM2 degradation and also may indicate a role for the GM2 activator in GA2 degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bcl-2 antagonizes apoptotic cell death induced by two new ceramide analogues.

Ceramides which arise in part from the breakdown of sphingomyelin comprise a class of antiproliferative lipids and have been implicated in the regulation of programmed cell death better known as apoptosis. In the present study, two new synthetic ceramide analogues, N-thioacetylsphingosine and FS-5, were used in Molt 4 cells to induce cell death. Besides their cytotoxic effects at concentrations > or = 14 microM the data obtained clearly show that both analogues induced apoptosis at concentrations below this critical concentration as assessed by trypan blue exclusion and cleavage of the death substrate poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Additional experiments in bcl-2-transfected Molt 4 cells revealed that the apoptotic but not the lytic effects of the analogues were antagonized by the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-2. Furthermore, neither N-thio-acetylsphingosine nor FS-5 induced PARP cleavage in bcl-2-transfected Molt 4 cells indicating that the induction of apoptotic cell death by cell permeable ceramides is not due to unspecific disturbance of the cell membrane.

Amides↗
PubMed1997

cis-4-Methylsphingosine decreases sphingolipid biosynthesis by specifically interfering with serine palmitoyltransferase activity in primary cultured neurons.

The effect of six different structurally modified sphingosine analogues on biosynthesis of sphingolipids was studied in primary cultured murine cerebellar neurons. Treatment of cells with cis-4-methylsphingosine at micromolar levels resulted in a markedly decreased sphingolipid biosynthesis, whereas the other compounds examined, trans-4-methylsphingosine, cis-5-methylsphingosine, trans-5-methylsphingosine, cis-sphingosine, and 1-deoxysphingosine, inhibited sphingolipid biosynthesis less efficiently. The inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis by the various compounds was paralleled by a decrease of serine palmitoyltransferase activity in situ. For cis-4-methylsphingosine the inhibitory effect on serine palmitoyltransferase activity was shown to be concentration- and time-dependent. Half-maximal reduction of enzyme activity occurred after 24 h of treatment with 10 microM of the compound. The activity of other enzymes of sphingolipid biosynthesis as well as phospholipid and protein biosynthesis was not affected. Analysis of the sphingoid moiety of cellular sphingolipids suggests that the sphingosine analogues listed above were subject to degradation rather than being utilized as precursors for sphingolipid biosynthesis by cultured neurons. Except of 1-deoxysphingosine, the other five sphingosine analogues were shown to be substrates for sphingosine kinase in vitro. After 24 h of treatment of primary cerebellar neurons with the various sphingosine analogues the relative percentage of the respective intracellular 1-phosphate derivatives paralleled exactly the inhibitory effect on serine palmitoyltransferase activity observed when cells were treated with the unphosphorylated compounds. In contrast to the respective 1-phosphate derivatives of the other methyl-branched sphingosine analogues examined, cis-4-methylsphingosine 1-phosphate showed an intracellular accumulation suggesting a delayed turnover rate in cultured murine neurons for this compound. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of the sphingosine analogues on serine palmitoyltransferase is mediated by their respective 1-phosphate derivatives and that the pronounced effect of cis-4-methylsphingosine is caused by a high intracellular concentration of cis-4-methylsphingosine 1-phosphate. cis-4-Methylsphingosine, in addition, caused drastic changes in cell morphology of primary cerebellar neurons, which were not observed when these cells were treated with one of the other sphingosine analogues examined.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1997

Synthesis and mass spectrometric characterization of digoxigenin and biotin labeled ganglioside GM1 and their uptake by and metabolism in cultured cells.

Selective acylation of mono-deacetyl lyso-GM1, i.e. beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyr ano syl -(1-->4)-(alpha-D-neuraminyl-(2-->3))-beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-2-amino-4-octa decen-1,3-diol, with N-succinimidyl-[1-14C]stearate afforded labeled mono-deacetyl GM1, i.e. beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyr ano syl- (1-->4)-(alpha-D-neuraminyl-(2-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta -D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-2-[1-14C]octadecanamido-4- octadecen-1, 3-diol, in good yield. Its condensation with either N-succinimidyl-digoxigenyl-3-O-methyl carbonyl-epsilon-amino caproate or N-succinimidyl-D-biotinyl-epsilon-aminocaproate led to radioactive GM1 derivatives carrying a tag for immuno-electron microscopy at the sialic acid residue. These GM1 derivatives could be hydrolyzed to the corresponding GM3 derivatives by treatment with GM1-beta-galactosidase and beta-hexosaminidases. There was no further degradation by sialidases due to the bulky tag in the sialic acid residue. The uptake of biotin labeled GM1 by human skin fibroblasts, rat neuroblastoma cells B104 and human neuroblastoma cells SHSY5Y was 0.85, 0.58 and 1.62 nmol lipid/mg cellular protein, respectively, after an incubation for 66 h at 37 degrees C and was similar to that of untagged GM1. The uptake of digoxigenin labeled GM1 by these cell types was, however, significantly higher (3.1, 6.8, and 20.0 nmol lipid/mg cellular protein, respectively). Both the biotin and digoxigenin labeled GM1 analogs were catabolized to the corresponding GM2 and GM3 derivatives in lysosomes of cultured cells. This demonstrates that these synthetic analogues are suitable for studying, by immuno-electron microscopy, their endocytosis and distribution in intralysosomal membranes.

Biotin↗
PubMed1997

Evidence for the involvement of Glu-355 in the catalytic action of human beta-hexosaminidase B.

In a previous study the photoactivable affinity probe, 3-azi-1-[([6-3H]2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)thio ]-b utane, was used to identify the active site of beta-hexosaminidase B, a beta-subunit dimer (Liessem, B., Glombitza, G. J., Knoll, F., Lehmann, J., Kellermann, J., Lottspeich, F., and Sandhoff, K. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 23693-23699). The probe predominately labeled Glu-355, a highly conserved residue among hexosaminidases. To determine if Glu-355 has a role in catalysis, beta-subunit mutants were prepared with the Glu-355 codon altered to either Ala, Gln, Asp, or Trp. After expression of mutant proteins using recombinant baculovirus, the enzyme activity associated with the beta-subunits was found to be reduced to background levels. Although catalytic activity was lost, the mutations did not otherwise affect the folding or assembly of the subunits. The mutant beta-subunits could be isolated using substrate affinity chromatography, indicating they contained intact substrate binding sites. As shown by cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate, the mutant beta-subunits were properly assembled. They could also participate in the formation of functional beta-hexosaminidase A activity as indicated by activator-dependent GM2 ganglioside degradation activity produced by co-expression of the mutant beta-subunits with the alpha-subunit. Finally, the mutant subunits showed normal lysosomal processing in COS-1 cells, demonstrating that a transport-competent protein conformation had been attained. Collectively the results provide strong support for the intimate involvement of Glu-355 in beta-hexosaminidase B-mediated catalysis.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1997

Biosynthesis, processing, and intracellular transport of GM2 activator protein in human epidermal keratinocytes. The lysosomal targeting of the GM2 activator is independent of a mannose-6-phosphate signal.

The processing, intracellular transport, and endocytosis of the GM2 activator protein (GM2AP), an essential cofactor of beta-hexosaminidase A for the degradation of ganglioside GM2, was investigated in human epidermal keratinocytes. The GM2AP precursor is synthesized as an 18-kDa peptide, which is singly glycosylated, resulting in 22-kDa high mannose and 24-27-kDa complex glycoforms. A small portion of the 22-kDa form bears phosphomannosyl residues. About 30% of the GM2AP precursor is secreted during 12 h after synthesis, consisting almost exclusively of complex glycoforms. In a post-Golgi compartment, the intracellular remainder is converted to a 20-kDa mature form within 24 h, bearing a heavily trimmed N-glycan on a 17-kDa backbone. Interestingly, even nonglycosylated GM2AP is delivered to the lysosome, as shown by tunicamycin treatment and subcellular fractionation. Also, its endocytosis is independent of carbohydrate-linked signals and is even more effective for nonglycosylated GM2AP. We conclude that a mannose-6-phosphate-independent pathway for the lysosomal delivery of GM2AP exists in cultured human keratinocytes.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1997

Functional characterization of the N-glycosylation sites of human acid sphingomyelinase by site-directed mutagenesis.

Most soluble lysosomal enzymes require a mannose-6-phosphate recognition marker present on asparagine-linked oligosaccharides for proper targeting to lysosomes. We have determined the influence of the six potential N-linked oligosaccharide chains of human acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) on catalytic activity, targeting, and processing of the enzyme. Each N-glycosylation site was modified by site-directed mutagenesis and subsequently expressed in COS-1 cells. Evidence is presented that five of these sites are used. Elimination of the four N-terminal glycosylation sites does not disturb lysosomal targeting, processing, or enzymatic activity. However, removal of the two C-terminal N-glycosylation sites inhibits the formation of mature enzyme. Absence of glycosylation site five resulted in rapid cleavage of the primary translation product to an enzymatically inactive protein which accumulated inside the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi, whereas deletion of glycosylation site six led to the formation of an inactive ASM precursor, also retained inside the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi. Our results also provide evidence that the site of early proteolytic cleavage of newly synthesized ASM must be located between the second and third glycosylation sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Accumulation of sphingolipids in SAP-precursor (prosaposin)-deficient fibroblasts occurs as intralysosomal membrane structures and can be completely reversed by treatment with human SAP-precursor.

The degradation of glycosphingolipids takes place in lysosomes by action of specific exohydrolases, with the assistance of sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs). Four of the SAPs, SAP-A to -D (also called saposins A to D), are synthesized from a single protein, the SAP-precursor (prosaposin). Deficiency in this precursor protein, a rare inherited disease in humans, results in the storage of sphingolipids with short oligosaccharide head groups within the patients' tissues, and electron microscopy revealed the accumulation of large multivesicular storage organelles. In this study we analyze the multivesicular storage organelles in cultivated fibroblasts from these patients. The results support our hypothesis that endocytosis of plasma membrane-derived lipids occurs via small intraendosomal and intralysosomal vesicles and membrane structures that are then digested within the lysosomes (Sandhoff, K., T. Kolter, Trends in Cell Biol. 6, 98-103 (1996). First, we show that the storage compartment consists of late endosomes and lysosomes by immunogold labeling for marker proteins of these organelles. The transport of endocytosed bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold or cationized ferritin into the compartment occurs with the timing expected for transport to late endocytic organelles. Second, complementation of the medium of the SAP-precursor-deficient fibroblasts with only nanomolar concentrations of purified SAP-precursor nearly completely reversed the aberrant accumulation of multivesicular structures, thereby abolishing most of the intralysosomal membrane structures. Analysis of the sphingolipid pattern of the cells after metabolic labeling with [14C]serine reveals that the cells' ability to degrade glycosphingolipids is completely restored by feeding of SAP-precursor at the same concentrations. This is the first demonstration in vivo that endocytosed SAP-precursor is processed into functional active SAPs A,- B,- C, and D and that the degradation of the vesicular structures within the lysosomes depends on the presence of the SAPs. Moreover, these studies suggest that a therapy program based on feeding purified SAP-precursor may be valuable in treating the entire family of diseases which result from the loss of one or more of the SAPs.

Endosomes↗