| Domain | Definition | ||
| Health | An enzyme hydrolyzing terminal non-reducing N-acetyl-D-hexosamine residues in N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminides. It acts on glucosides, galactosides, and several oligosaccharides. Hexosaminidase A cleaves GM2, GA2, globosides, and hexosamine oligosaccharides. Deficiency of this isoenzyme causes Tay-Sachs disease. Hexosaminidase B cleaves all the above substrates except GM2. A deficiency of both A and B causes Sandhoff disease. The enzyme has also been used as a tumor marker to distinguish between malignant and benign disease. EC 3.2.1.52. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
