Assay of glucocerebrosidase using a fluorescent analogue of glucocerebroside for the diagnosis of Gaucher disease.

For the diagnosis of homozygotes and heterozygotes of Gaucher disease, glucocerebrosidase (glucocerebroside beta-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.45) activity in lymphocytes was measured using a fluorescent analogue of glucocerebroside, 1-0-glucosyl-2-N-(dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl)-sphingosine as substrate. The activity in lymphocytes from homozygotes of Gaucher disease was found to be reduced markedly. This method is proved to be simple, sensitive, and specific as an assay of glucocerebrosidase activity for the diagnosis of Gaucher disease.