This gene encodes a plasma alpha-L-fucosidase, which represents 10-20% of the total cellular fucosidase activity. The protein is a member of the glycosyl hydrolase 29 family, and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the alpha-1,6-linked fucose joined to the reducing-end N-acetylglucosamine of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins. This enzyme is essential for Helicobacter pylori adhesion to human gastric cancer cells. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2010]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that the FUCA2 gene, identified as an overlapping differentially expressed gene from a microarray study on proximal chromosome 10, was overexpressed in the methamphetamine high drinking (MAHDR) line compared to the low drinking (MALDR) line in the ventral midbrain [Hitzemann et al. DOI:10.3390/brainsci9070155].