title: Molecular and biochemical characterisation of a novel sulphatase gene: Arylsulfatase G (ARSG).
abstract: Molecular analysis has provided important insights into the biochemistry and genetics of the sulphatase family of enzymes. Through bioinformatic searches of the EST database, we have identified a novel gene consisting of 11 exons and encoding a 525 aa protein that shares a high degree of sequence similarity with all sulphatases and in particular with arylsulphatases, hence the tentative name Arylsulfatase G (ARSG). The highest homology is shared with Arylsulfatase A, a lysosomal sulphatase which is mutated in metachromatic leukodistrophy, particularly in the amino-terminal region. The 10 amino acids that form the catalytic site are strongly conserved. The murine homologue of Arylsulfatase G gene product shows 87% identity with the human protein. To test the function of this novel gene we transfected the full-length cDNA in Cos7 cells, and detected an Arylsulfatase G precursor protein of 62 kDa. After glycosylation the precursor is maturated in a 70 kDa form, which localises to the endoplasmic reticulum. Northern blot analysis of Arylsulfatase G revealed a ubiquitous expression pattern. We tested the sulphatase activity towards two different artificial substrates 4-methylumbelliferyl (4-MU) sulphate and p-nitrocatechol sulphate, but no arylsulphatase activity was detectable. Further studies are needed to characterise the function of Arylsulfatase G, possibly revealing a novel metabolic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via P Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Messali
authors.forename: Germana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meroni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballabio
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001192:Arylsulfatases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019556:COS Cells; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C476553:ARSG protein, human; D001192:Arylsulfatases