Mutations affecting transport and stability of lysosomal enzymes.

The biosynthesis, post-translational processing and receptor-mediated transport of lysosomal enzymes will be briefly summarized. Mutations affecting the transport or the stability of a lysosomal enzyme but not its catalytic properties can result in a lysosomal storage disorder. Mutations causing a loss of catalytic activity may in addition affect transport or stability. Such mutations should not be classified as transport or stability mutations. Prototypes for transport and stability mutations are I-cell disease and late onset forms of metachromatic leukodystrophy.