alpha-L-fucosidase and beta-hexosaminidase isoenzymes in human leukemia.

alpha-L-Fucosidase and beta-hexosaminidase isoenzyme expressions were studied in normal lymphocytes and granulocytes and their leukemic counterparts. The isoenzyme patterns were obtained by chromatofocusing on PBE 94 microcolumn coupled with automated enzyme assay. In normal and leukemic lymphoid cells, two major alpha-L-Fucosidase isoenzyme components were isolated. PMN, CML, AML and AMMoL revealed an isoenzyme pattern totally different from that seen in lymphoid cells. The two major beta-hexosaminidase forms (A and B) were isolated in normal lymphocytes and granulocytes. In all leukemias tested an high amount of an intermediate form, I, was found. The alpha-L-Fucosidase and beta-hexosaminidase isoenzyme profile may facilitate differentiation between normal and leukemic cells and between different acute leukemias.