Transient expression of wild-type and mutant glucocerebrosidases in hybrid vaccinia expression system

Gaucher disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disease, is characterised by a significant phenotypic variation caused by more than 150 mutations. In order to verify pathogenicity of mutations found in the Czech Gaucher population, the vaccinia expression system was used. The wild-type human β-glucocerebrosidase cDNA and cDNAs carrying the mutations 72delC, 1326insT, 1263del55, S196P, N370S, L444P, G202E, D409H, T369M, L444P+V460V, and D409H+T369M were expressed in Gaucher fibroblast cell line (L444P/S107L), BSC40, and HeLa G cells. The enzymatic activity and immunological reactivity were analysed. Only β-glucocerebrosidase-deficient fibroblasts were suitable for expression using plasmid transfection. The expressed β-glucosidase activity of mutant glucocerebrosidases was in good correlation with the presumed severity of the mutations.