[Properties of human chorion neuraminidase].

Some properties of human chorion neuraminidase were studied. Using n-butanol, a solubilized preparation of neuraminidase with specific activity considerably exceeding the initial activity of the chorion homogenate was obtained. The pH-dependence and substrate specificity of the enzyme towards low molecular weight (sialylglycolipids and sialylglycoproteins) native substrates were examined. These properties of solubilized neuraminidase from human chorion were found to be similar to those of the lysosomal enzyme from other animal tissues. The results abtained are consistent with the properties of neuraminidase from native chorion and amniotic fluid cell cultures. Based on the substrate specificity of the solubilized enzyme, it was found that chorion biopsy specimens could be used for prenatal diagnosing of sialidoses and mucolipidoses IV. Some properties of solubilized human chorion beta-galacotosidase were studied.