Sly syndrome

Overview
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII or Sly syndrome (named after its discoverer William Sly in 1969) is also sometimes called MPS. The defective gene lies on chromosome 7. MPS is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.

It is an extremely rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme β-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme. Sly syndrome belongs to a group of disorders known as the mucopolysaccharidoses, which are lysosomal storage diseases. In Sly syndrome, the deficiency in β-glucuronidase leads to the accumulation of certain complex carbohydrates (mucopolysaccharides) in many tissues and organs of the body.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Sly syndrome are similar to those of Hurler syndrome (MPS I). The symptoms include:


 * in the head, neck, and face: coarse (Hurler-like) facies and macrocephaly, frontal prominence, premature closure of sagittal lambdoid sutures, and J-shaped sella turcica
 * in the eyes: corneal opacity and iris colobmata
 * in the nose: anteverted nostrils and a depressed nostril bridge
 * in the mouth and oral areas: prominent alveolar processes and cleft palate
 * in the thorax: usually pectus carinatum or exacavatum and oar-shaped ribs; also a protruding abdomen and inguinal or umbilical hernia
 * in the extremities: talipes, an underdeveloped ilium, aseptic necrosis of femoral head, and shortness of tubular bones occurs
 * in the spine: kyphosis or scoliosis and hook-like deformities in thoracic and lumbar vertebrate
 * in the bones: dysotosis multiplex

In addition recurrent pulmonary infections occur. Hepatomegaly occurs in the gastrointestinal system. Splenomegaly occurs in the hematopoietic system. Inborn mucopolysaccharide metabolic disorders due to β-glucuronidase deficiency with granular inclusions in granulocytes occurs in the biochemical and metabolic systems. Growth and motor skills are affected, and mental retardation also occurs.

Symptoms
MPS type VII occurs in only 1:250,000 people.

Other names
Mucopolysaccahridosis Type VII is also known as β-glucurondinase deficiency, β-glucurondinase deficiency mucopolysaccahridosis, GUSB deficiency, mucopolysaccahride storage disease VII, MCA, and MR.