InterPro: IPR001540 Glycoside hydrolase, family 20

O-Glycosyl hydrolases EC:3.2.1. are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [1, 2, 3]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site [4]. Because the fold of proteins is better conserved than their sequences, some of the families can be grouped in clans.

Glycoside hydrolase family 20 GH20 comprises enzymes with several known activities; beta-hexosaminidase (EC:3.2.1.52); lacto-N-biosidase (EC:3.2.1.140). Carbonyl oxygen of the C-2 acetamido group of the substrate acts as the catalytic nucleophile/base in this family of enzymes.

In the brain and other tissues, beta-hexosaminidase A degrades GM2 gangliosides; specifically, the enzyme hydrolyses terminal non-reducing N-acetyl-D-hexosamine residues in N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminides. There are 3 forms of beta-hexosaminidase: hexosaminidase A is a trimer, with one alpha, one beta-A and one beta-B chain; hexosaminidase B is a tetramer of two beta-A and two beta-B chains; and hexosaminidase S is a homodimer of alpha chains. The two beta chains are derived from the cleavage of a precursor. Mutations in the beta-chain lead to Sandhoff disease, a lysosomal storage disorder characterised by accumulation of GM2 ganglioside [5].