Susan Hay-Antoff wrote:
> Is anyone familiar with the enzyme L-iduronidase, sometimes referred to
> L-iduronic acid?  I am looking for a source for an investigator.  Any
> info would be helpful.  Thanks and have a prayerful day!
--
L-iduronidase is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of
glycosides of the sugar L-iduronic acid. L-IdUA is closely
similar to D-glucuronic acid (D-GlcUA) and, like it, is a
component of macromolecular carbohydrates of the extracellular 
matrix of animal tissues. L-IdUA occurs in dermatan sulphate,
(which was one known as chondroitin sulphate B) and is similar
to chondroitin-4-sulphate (which once was Ch. sulph. A).

I'm not familiar with the enzyme. Its expected action would be
to break dermatan sulphate into smaller, soluble molecules.
Staining (with alcian blue, for example) that is prevented by
prior digestion of the sections with L-iduronidase will likely
be due to dermatan sulphate, subject to the general constraints
that go with using enzymes as histochemical reagents. 

Without my shelf of catalogues to hand, I can't tell you a
supplier, but suggest trying Boehringer, Calbiochem and Sigma
for a start.
--
John Kiernan
London, Canada.
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