Recent advances in the biochemistry and genetics of sphingolipidoses

Sphingolipidoses are a subgroup of lysosomal storage diseases. They are defined as disorders caused by a genetic defect in catabolism of sphingosine-containing lipids. Catabolism of these lipids involves enzymes and activator proteins. After the discovery of lysosomes by de Duve and the demonstration of the first defective lysosomal enzyme by Hers in 1963, the first enzyme deficiency for sphingolipidoses was characterized in 1965 and all the...