Three families with hereditary hemolytic anemia and pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase deficiency: electrophoretic and kinetic studies.

Three new variants of pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase (P5N) found in Japan were studied. They are characterized by slow electrophoretic mobility and a high Michaelis constant for cytidine 5'-monophosphate as has been described in previously reported cases, but are unique with respect to the thermostability test and in pH optima. P5N Kumamoto was thermostable and showed a markedly basic shift in the pH optimum. P5N Nagano was thermolabile and had a normal pH optimum. P5N Kurume was thermostable and showed a basic shift in the pH optimum. These data suggest that these variants have structural gene mutations and that they are clearly distinguished from previously reported cases.