The NAGLU gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase. This enzyme is located in lysosomes, compartments within cells that digest and recycle different types of molecules. Alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase is involved in the step-wise breakdown of large molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are composed of sugar molecules that are linked together to form a long string. To break down these large molecules, individual sugars are removed one at a time from one end of the molecule. Alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase removes a sugar called N-acetylglucosamine when it is at the end of the GAG chain.
Other Names
alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase; alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase precursor; ANAG_HUMAN; N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha; N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-; NAG; UFHSD
Related Genetics Topics
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Mucopolysaccharidosis type III — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 4669
- OMIM: 609701
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
