THE SULFATASE GENE FAMILY

During the past few years, molecular analyses have provided important insights into the biochemistry and genetics of the sulfatase family of enzymes, identifying the molecular bases of inherited diseases caused by sulfatase deficiencies. New members of the sulfatase gene family h ave been identified in man and other species using a genomic approach. These include the gene encoding arylsulfatase E, which is involved in X-linked recessive chondrodysplasia punctata, a disorder of cartilage and bone development. Another important breakthrough has been the dis covery of the biochemical basis of multiple sulfatase deficiency, an a utosomal recessive disorder characterized by a severe reduction of all sulfatase activities. These discoveries, together with the resolution of the crystallographic structure of sulfatases, have improved our un derstanding of the function and evolution of this fascinating family o f enzymes.