About lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...

What is lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

Schindler disease is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by the deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alpha-NAGA or alpha-galactosidase B). The enzyme defect leads to the abnormal accumulation of certain complex compounds (glycosphingolipids, glycoproteins, and oligosaccharides), which have terminal or preterminal N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues in many tissues of the body and in urine. Two major forms of Schindler disease exist - a severe form with onset in infancy (type I) and a milder form with onset in adulthood (type II). Some researchers have proposed a type III form of Schindler disease that is less severe than type I, but more severe than type II. The specific symptoms and severity of Schindler disease can vary from one person to another. Schindler disease is caused by mutations of the NAGA gene and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Schindler disease belongs to a group of diseases known as lysosomal storage disorders. Within cells, lysosomes are small compartments or organelles which are bound by membranes. They function as the primary digestive units of cells. Enzymes within lysosomes break down or digest particular nutrients and cellular debris. Low levels or inactivity of these enzymes leads to the abnormal accumulation of the substances that they normally breakdown, resulting in the enlargement and increased numbers of lysosomes within cells of the body, as well as leakage of their stored contents. These disturbances may interfere with normal cellular function and cause the disease manifestations.

What are the symptoms for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

Some researchers have broken Schindler disease into three distinct types. Type I is a severe form that occurs during infancy and is associated with neurological symptoms. Type II is a milder form of the disorder with onset usually in adulthood and mild, if any associated neurological symptoms. Type III is an intermediate form whose onset and severity fall in between the other two. Consequently, the severity and specific symptoms of Schindler disease can vary greatly from patients in one family to those in another.

It is important to note that affected individuals may not have all of the symptoms discussed below. Affected individuals should talk to their physician and medical team about their specific case, associated symptoms and overall prognosis.

SCHINDLER DISEASE TYPE I

Schindler disease type I, the classic form of the disease, begins in infancy. Affected children develop normally until approximately 9 months to 1 year of age. They may then begin to exhibit a delay in the acquisition of skills that require the coordination of mental and muscular activity (psychomotor retardation). After a period of such developmental delays, affected children may begin to lose previously acquired physical and mental abilities (developmental retrogression); such regression may begin at approximately 2 years of age. Affected children may then start to exhibit a variety of neurological symptoms, such as muscular Weakness and diminished muscle tone (hypotonia); involuntary muscle spasms that result in slow, stiff movements (spasticity), misalignment of the eyes (strabismus); involuntary, rapid eye movements (nystagmus); and/or visual impairment due to the gradual deterioration of the nerves of the eyes (optic atrophy). They may also experience brief, shock-like muscle spasms of the arms, legs, or entire body (myoclonic movements and grand-mal Seizures).

SCHINDLER DISEASE TYPE II

In the adult-onset form of Schindler disease (also known as Schindler disease type II or Kanzaki disease), symptoms may not appear until the second or third decade of life. A distinctive symptom of Schindler disease type II is involvement of small blood vessels (telangiectasia) in the skin that cause reddish small skin lesions, and an increase of its horny layer (stratum corneum; hyperkeratosis) referred to as angiokeratomas. The dilation of small lymph vessels may lead to swelling (lymphedema) particularly of the lower extremities.

Angiokeratomas may first be restricted to a single area (localized), such as the lower torso, and then appear later in additional locations (e.g., from the lower torso to the chest area). These reddish lesions may be flat or raised and vary in color, and may occur in clusters. Affected individuals may also have these lesions in other areas of the body such as the mucous membranes including the mouth and eyes.

Individuals with Schindler disease type II have also mild intellectual impairment, but do not show the serious neurological complications associated with Schindler disease type I. Individuals with Schindler disease type II may also develop distinctive facial features including mildly coarse features, thick lips, a depressed nasal bridge and an enlarged tip of the nose. Additional symptoms have been reported in the medical literature including vertigo, hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and muscle Weakness. Patients may also experience pain crises. Many of the latter manifestations are thought to be due to lysosomal storage.

SCHINDLER DISEASE TYPE III

Schindler disease type III, is an intermediate form the disorder. Symptoms can range from more serious intellectual impairment, neurological dysfunction and Seizures to milder neurological and psychiatric issues such as speech and language delays and mild autism-like symptoms.

What are the causes for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

Schindler disease is caused by mutations in the NAGA gene. These mutations are inherited as autosomal recessive traits. Genetic diseases are determined by the combination of mutations for a particular trait that are on the chromosomes received from the father and the mother. Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits an abnormal gene for the same trait from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the defective gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25 percent with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier like the parents is 50 percent with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents and be genetically normal for that particular trait is 25 percent. The risk is the same for males and females.

Investigators have determined that the NAGA (alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase) gene is located on the long arm (q) of chromosome 22 (22q13.2). Chromosomes, which are present in the nucleus of human cells, carry the genetic information for each individual. Human body cells normally have 46 chromosomes. Pairs of human chromosomes are numbered from 1 through 22 and the sex chromosomes are designated X and Y. Males have one X and one Y chromosome and females have two X chromosomes. Each chromosome has a short arm designated “p” and a long arm designated “q”. Chromosomes are further sub-divided into many bands that are numbered. For example, “chromosome 22q13.2” refers to band 13 sub-band 2 on the long arm of chromosome 22. The numbered bands specify the location of the thousands of genes that are present on each chromosome.

Investigators have determined that the NAGA gene contains instructions for generating (encoding) an enzyme known as alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alpha-NAGA). All three forms of Schindler disease are characterized by very low levels or deficient activity of this enzyme. Low levels or absent activity of the enzyme leads to the abnormal accumulation of certain complex compounds (glycosphingolipids, glycoproteins, and oligosaccharides) in certain tissues of the body and in urine.

Although mutations in the NAGA gene are clearly linked to the accumulation of the complex compounds containing alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues in the body, some researchers have questioned whether mutations in the NAGA gene cause the neurological symptoms associated with Schindler disease. Although all individuals with Schindler disease have mutations in the NAGA gene, not all develop neurological symptoms. The severe neurological symptoms of type I Schindler disease are associated with characteristic swellings at the end of nerve fibers (axons). These swellings may be referred to as dystrophic axonal swellings or “spheroids”. The spheroids are characteristic of a neuroaxonal dystrophy – a severe alteration of nerve cells. These swellings appear to disrupt proper nerve function by blocking the transmission of impulses between nerve cells. Some researchers suspect that other factors in addition to or instead of mutations of the NAGA gene may cause the development of the neurological symptoms of Schindler disease. For example, some researchers have speculated that individuals with Schindler disease who have neurological symptoms may have additional mutations in an unrelated gene. However, no conclusive evidence exists to confirm this theory. More research is necessary to determine the exact complex mechanisms that ultimately cause the neuroaxonal dystrophy of Schindler disease.

What are the treatments for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

There is no specific therapy for individuals with Schindler disease. The treatment of Schindler disease is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual.

Genetic counseling may be of benefit for affected individuals and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

What are the risk factors for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

Bacteria and animals cause lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas. It is a glycoside hydrolase which is also known as nagalase. NAGA is an enzyme that is coded as a human gene that mutates. The mutations in the gene and the deficiency in alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase are caused due to Schindler disease. The activity of this enzyme converts type A blood to blood type O. Therefore, its name is A-zyme. Bacterial enzymes and A-zyme carry out reactions efficiently.

The risk factors for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas are

  • Nagalase catalyzes the deglycosylation of Vitamin D3 but fails to convert the regulatory protein.
  • When incompatible cells are around, nagalase diminishes the macrophage activating capacity of the body.
  • Nagalase is found in systemic disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • It is also found in children with autism and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Nagalase is also found in the serum of cancer patients, which correlates with tumor and aggressiveness.
  • Enzyme leads to severe deficiency of lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas in cultured fibroblasts, leukocytes, and plasma. Lysosomal belongs to a heterogeneous group of dozens of rare disorders characterized by the accumulation of partially digested macromolecules. Undigested or partially digested molecules cause cellular dysfunction and clinical abnormalities.
  • Dysfunction of the Central Nervous System also may result from this disease.


Conditions
Cardiomyopathy,Hepatomegaly,Autism spectrum disorders
Drugs
Anti-epileptic drugs,Physiotherapy to protect joint contractures,Aspiration prophylaxis
Symptoms
Cognitive impairment,Hearing loss,Dark red spots on the skin,Speech problem,Neurological dysfunction

Is there a cure/medications for lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas...?

An extremely uncommon, clinically and pathologically diverse, and NAGA activity-deficient lysosomal storage disorder/lysosomal alpha-n-acetylgalactosaminidas.

  • There have been a lot of clinical variabilities documented. Three clinical categories of NAGA insufficiency have been identified in cases of the condition: type 1, type 2, and type 3. (see these terms).
  • Type 3 is an intermediate clinical form with symptoms ranging from cognitive disability, neurological dysfunction, and seizures to milder neurological and psychiatric problems like speech and language delays or mild autism-like signs.
  • Type 1 is characterized by infantile-onset neuroaxonal dystrophy, type 2 is characterized in older patients with angiokeratoma corporis diffusum and limited nervous system involvement, and type 3 is an intermediate clinical form.


Cure

  • Treatment of this condition is diagnostic and supportive.
  • It involves ensuring adequate nutrition and hydration, managing infectious diseases (possibly through antibiotic shielding), controlling seizures with anti-epileptic drugs, reducing spasticity or pain with medication, physiotherapy to protect joint contractures or pneumonia, and aspiration prophylaxis that may involve tube feeding.
  • A typical protein folding issue is NAGA deficiency, according to recent investigations. Therefore, research studies are looking into whether it may be treated using enzyme replacement treatment or pharmacological chaperone methods.
  • Another potential course of treatment for some lysosomal storage diseases is gene therapy, which is now under study.


Conditions
Cardiomyopathy,Hepatomegaly,Autism spectrum disorders
Drugs
Anti-epileptic drugs,Physiotherapy to protect joint contractures,Aspiration prophylaxis
Symptoms
Cognitive impairment,Hearing loss,Dark red spots on the skin,Speech problem,Neurological dysfunction

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