Arylsulfatase K (ARSK)

Sulfatases (EC 3.1.5.6), such as ARSK, hydrolyze sulfate esters from sulfated steroids, carbohydrates, proteoglycans, and glycolipids. They are involved in hormone biosynthesis, modulation of cell signaling, and degradation of macromolecules .

By searching databases for novel sulfatase genes, Sardiello et al. (2005) and Obaya (2006) identified ARSK. They determined that all human sulfatases, including ARSK, have 9 regions of strong evolutionary conservation, most of which contain residues involved in the sulfatase hydrolysis reaction.

Western blot analysis of HeLa cells expressing epitope-tagged ARSK detected the protein only in the particulate fraction, suggesting ARSK associates with cellular organelles or membrane structures.