An estimation of beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in normal and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes.

The lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) were estimated by biochemical and cytochemical means in the circulating lymphocytes of 20 control subjects, 19 cases of B cell and one case of T cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Significantly lower levels of activity were observed both biochemically and cytochemically for each enzyme in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes, whereas the values obtained for the T cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemic patient fell within the normal range. The absence of staining reaction for both enzymes in the majority of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes contrasted with the uniform pattern of polar positivity obtained in T cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes.