ISSN:
1432-1076
Keywords:
Galatosylation
;
Uridine diphosphate galactose
;
Red blood cells
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract There is circumstantial evidence that defective galactosylation of complex glycoconjugates exists in tissues from galactosemic patients. Whether this is an etiologic factor in the long-term complications of the disorder is not known. Also not evident is the basis for the impaired galactosylation. The hypothesis that abnormally low cellular uridine diphosphate galactose (UDPgal) content is responsible has not been established. There is a tendency for galactosemic red cell UDPgal to be in the low normal range with a high uridine diphosphate glucose to UDPgal ratio. This may reflect an inability of red cell UDPgal-4′-epimerase to maintain a normal ratio and consequently higher levels of UDPgal. In the more complex white blood cells and cultured fibroblasts, the UDPgal content and the uridine diphosphate glucose to UDPgal ratio of galactosemics are normal. Therefore, defective galactosylation observed in galactosemic fibroblasts must result from a defect in the transfer of galactose from UDPgal to these moieties.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02143806
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