TY - JOUR
T1 - Aspartoacyclase deficiency and N-acetylaspartic aciduria in patients with Canavan disease
AU - Matalon, R.
AU - Michals, K.
AU - Sebesta, D.
AU - Deanching, M.
AU - Gashkoff, P.
AU - Casanova, J.
PY - 1988
Y1 - 1988
N2 - An increased amount of N-acetylaspartic acid was found in urine and plasma of three patients, from two families, with the diagnosis of cerebral spongy degeneration (Canavan disease). Aspartoacyclase was assayed in cultured skin fibroblasts from one patient of each family and a profound deficiency of this enzyme was found. Although the function of N-acetylaspartic acid is not understood, it is known to occur in high concentration in human brain. The finding of a defect in the metabolism of N-acetylaspartic acid causing progressive spongy degeneration of the brain may lead to a better understanding of the function of this amino acid derivative. The aspartoacyclase assay affords a new tool for determining the diagnosis of Canavan disease. Since aspartoacyclase activity was present in cultured amniotic cells and chorionic villi, it is likely that the assay for this enzyme can be used for the prenatal diagnosis of Canavan disease.
AB - An increased amount of N-acetylaspartic acid was found in urine and plasma of three patients, from two families, with the diagnosis of cerebral spongy degeneration (Canavan disease). Aspartoacyclase was assayed in cultured skin fibroblasts from one patient of each family and a profound deficiency of this enzyme was found. Although the function of N-acetylaspartic acid is not understood, it is known to occur in high concentration in human brain. The finding of a defect in the metabolism of N-acetylaspartic acid causing progressive spongy degeneration of the brain may lead to a better understanding of the function of this amino acid derivative. The aspartoacyclase assay affords a new tool for determining the diagnosis of Canavan disease. Since aspartoacyclase activity was present in cultured amniotic cells and chorionic villi, it is likely that the assay for this enzyme can be used for the prenatal diagnosis of Canavan disease.
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U2 - 10.1002/ajmg.1320290234
DO - 10.1002/ajmg.1320290234
M3 - Article
C2 - 3354621
AN - SCOPUS:0023818297
SN - 0148-7299
VL - 29
SP - 463
EP - 471
JO - American Journal of Medical Genetics
JF - American Journal of Medical Genetics
IS - 2
ER -