Galatosialidosis (beta-galactosidase-neuraminidase deficiency): clinical and biochemical studies on 13 patients.

Thirteen patients with galactosialidosis (beta-galactosidase-neuraminidase deficiency) from 9 families including two autopsy cases were studied from clinical, genetic, cytological and biochemical standpoints. Coarse facies, myoclonus, cerebellar ataxia, angiokeratoma, loss of vision, corneal opacity and cherry-red spots were the main signs and symptoms although these clinical manifestations were widely variable in individual cases. It is not yet known whether these clinical variations represent genetic heterogeneity or not. Deficiency of beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase was the most prominent biochemical abnormality in this disease. Beta-Galactosidase activity was restored in fibroblasts when serine-thiol protease inhibitors were added to the culture medium. Cathepsin B activity was significantly high in fibroblasts, liver and brain from the patients. It was demonstrated that neuraminidase was susceptible to the procedures for disrupting cells and tissues, such as sonication and freezing. The stability of this enzyme may be dependent on the molecular state in relation to cell membranes.