National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Alpha-Mannosidosis

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Alpha-Mannosidosis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• Lysosomal Alpha-D-Mannosidase Deficiency
• Alpha-Mannosidase B Deficiency
• Mannosidase, Alpha B, Lysosomal
• Mannosidosis
• Mannosidosis, Alpha B, Lysosomal

Disorder Subdivisions

• Alpha-Mannosidosis, Type I
• Alpha-Mannosidosis, Type II
• Alpha-Mannosidosis, Type III

General Discussion

Alpha-mannosidosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-D-mannosidase. Alpha-mannosidosis is best thought of as a continuum of disease that is generally broken down into three forms: a mild, slowly progressive form (Type 1); a moderate form (Type 2); and a severe, often rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening form (Type 3). The symptoms and severity of the disorder are highly variable. Symptoms may include distinctive facial features, skeletal abnormalities, hearing loss, intellectual disability, and dysfunction of the immune system. Alpha-mannosidosis is caused by mutations of the MAN2B1 gene. This genetic mutation is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Alpha-mannosidosis belongs to a group of diseases known as the lysosomal storage disorders. Lysosomes are particles bound in membranes within cells that function as the primary digestive units within cells. Enzymes within lysosomes break down or digest particular nutrients, such as complex molecules composed of a sugar attached to a protein (glycoproteins). Low levels or inactivity of the alpha-mannosidase enzyme leads to the abnormal accumulation these compounds in the cells of affected individuals with unwanted consequences.

Resources

CLIMB (Children Living with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)
Climb Building
176 Nantwich Road
Crewe, Intl CW2 6BG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 870 7700 325
Fax: +44 870 7700 327
Email: info@climb.org.uk
Internet: http://www.CLIMB.org.uk

Vaincre Les Maladies Lysosomales
2 ter avenue de Fance
Massy, 91300
France
Tel: 01 69 75 40 30
Fax: 01 60 11 15 83
Email: accueil@vml-asso.org
Internet: http://www.vml-asso.org

National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association, Inc.
2001 Beacon Street
Suite 204
Brighton, MA 02135
USA
Tel: (617)277-4463
Fax: (617)277-0134
Tel: (800)906-8723
Email: info@ntsad.org
Internet: http://www.NTSAD.org

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: (301)565-3842
Fax: (301)565-3843
Tel: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
Email: info@thearc.org
Internet: http://www.thearc.org/

National MPS (Mucopolysaccharidoses/Mucolipidoses) Society, Inc.
PO Box 14686
Durham, NC 27709-4686
Tel: (919)806-0101
Fax: (919)806-2055
Email: info@mpssociety.org
Internet: http://www.mpssociety.org

NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)907-8906
Tel: (800)891-5389
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases
46 Woodside Road
Amersham
Buckinghamshire, HP6 6AJ
United Kingdom
Tel: 004401494 434156
Fax: 004401494 434252
Email: mps@mpssociety.co.uk
Internet: http://www.mpssociety.co.uk

Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide and Related Diseases, Inc.
PO Box 64714
Unionville
Ontario, Intl L3R OM9
Canada
Tel: 905-479-8701
Fax: 905-479-8701
Tel: 800-667-1846
Email: lori.mps@rogers.com
Internet: http://www.mpssociety.ca

International Society for Mannosidosis & Related Diseases, Inc.
1030 Saxon Hill Drive
Cockeysville, MD 21030
USA
Tel: (410)628-9991
Email: pres@mannosidosis.org
Internet: http://www/mannosidosis.org

GOLD, Global Organisation For Lysosomal Diseases
P.O. Box 609
Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4WU
UK
Tel: +44 1494-870708
Email: enquiries@goldinfo.org
Internet: http://www.goldinfo.org

Hide & Seek Foundation for Lysosomal Disease Research
4123 Lankershim Blvd.
Suite 302
North Hollywood, CA 91602-2828
Tel: (818)762-8621
Fax: (818)762-2502
Email: info@hideandseek.org
Internet: http://www.hideandseek.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  1/29/2009
Copyright  1987, 1988, 1990, 2004, 2006, 2009 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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