Function
Sulfatase hydrolyzes sulfate esters. The enzymes take part in the cycling of sulfur[1]. The arylsulfatase name is derived from the fact that nitrophenyl-sulfate is their standard substrate.
- Arylsulfatase A hydrolyzes cerebroside-sulfate.
- Arylsulfatase B hydrolyzes dermatan sulfate.
- Alkylsulfatase hydrolyzes SDS and other alkyl sulfate derivatives.
- Estrone sulfatase hydrolyzes sulfated steroids.
- N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase hydrolyzes chondroitin sulfate and keratin sulfate. For details see Molecular Playground/Human Galactosamine-6-sulfatase.
Disease
Mutations in arylsulfatase result in lysosomal storage disorders. Sulfatases are implicated in pathophysiological conditions in hormone-dependent cancer, developmental abnormalities and bacterial pathogenesis[2].
