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Aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease belonging to the oligosaccharidosis group (also called glycoproteinosis).
Features include always present findings: Reduced tissue aspartylglucosaminidase activity; and very common findings: Intellectual disability, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Delayed speech and language development, and Aspartylglucosaminuria and others. 76 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Bones and joints | 11 | Pathologic fracture, Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis), Delayed skeletal maturation |
Brain and nerves | 10 | Seizure, Intellectual disability, Brain shrinkage (cerebral atrophy) |
Head and neck | 7 | Broad face, Coarse facial features, Thick lower lip vermilion |
Digestive system | 4 | Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), Diarrhea, Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Muscles | 3 | Low muscle tone (hypotonia), Generalized hypotonia, Brain shrinkage (cerebral atrophy) |
Blood and immune system | 3 | Recurrent respiratory infections, Decreased total neutrophil count, Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Skin | 2 | Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum, Vascular skin abnormality |
Metabolism | 2 | Abnormality of metabolism/homeostasis, Abnormality of amino acid metabolism |
Growth and development | 1 | Short stature |
Eyes | 1 | Cataract |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Recurrent respiratory infections |
Heart and blood vessels | 1 | Mitral regurgitation |
Ears | 1 | Chronic otitis media |
Aspartylglucosaminuria is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, behavioral manifestations, recurrent infections, growth deficiency, musculoskeletal features, and characteristic craniofacial features that become more prominent with age. Adults have progressive psychomotor decline and eventually lose the ability to communicate verbally and remain completely dependent as adults. To date, approximately 500 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in AGA . The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports. Table 2. Aspartylglucosaminuria: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Developmental delay | 90% | Mild to moderate |
Intellectual disability |
AGA encodes aspartylglucosaminidase (346 aa). Cleaves the GlcNAc-Asn bond which joins oligosaccharides to the peptide of asparagine-linked glycoproteins Highest expression in Artery Aorta (25.1 TPM) and Thyroid (23.6 TPM).
Aspartylglucosaminuria is caused by mutations in the AGA gene on chromosome 4.
The AGA protein participates in NPM1-ALK- and p-STAT3-dependent NOTCH gene expression and Mitochondrial translation termination pathways.
AGA is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome, Enzyme, and Protease categories) with score 0.0.
No genotype-phenotype correlations have been identified. In a small study including both Finnish and non-Finnish individuals with aspartylglucosaminuria, there were no clear genotype-phenotype correlations identified .
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for aspartylglucosaminuria have been published.
Aspartylglucosaminuria should be suspected in probands with the following clinical, laboratory, imaging, and family history findings.
Clinical findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
Table 3. Genes of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Aspartylglucosaminuria
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Clinical Findings | Laboratory Findings | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GNPTAB | ML II (See GNPTAB-Related Disorders.) | AR | Significant bony malformations at birth w/subsequent neurodegeneration death in early childhood | oligosaccharides GAGs in urine; lysosomal hydrolases | ML II has a more severe neurodegenerative phenotype than AGU.; ML III has more cardiorespiratory symptoms than AGU. |
Urinary testing may be similar. ML III/ (See GNPTAB-Related Disorders.) | AR |
Genetic testing for AGA is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for aspartylglucosaminuria. An additional 1 compound holds orphan drug designation.
While no drugs are FDA-approved specifically for aspartylglucosaminuria, some of the following designated compounds may be used off-label in clinical practice. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a specialist familiar with this condition.
The following drugs have received orphan drug designation from the FDA for aspartylglucosaminuria. Orphan designation reflects regulatory interest and does not indicate approval for treatment.
Brand Name | Generic Name | Sponsor | Designated | Exclusivity End | Designation Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
recombinant serotype 9 adeno-associated virus encoding a codon-optimized human aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) transgene | recombinant serotype 9 adeno-associated virus encoding a codon-optimized human aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) transgene | Rare Trait Hope Fund | 2024 | — | Designated |
No clinical practice guidelines for aspartylglucosaminuria have been published.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with aspartylglucosaminuria, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 4.
Aspartylglucosaminuria: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
Development/
| Developmental cognitive assessment | • To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, speech-language eval
Eval for early intervention/ special education
| Neurologic eval | • Consider brain MRI.
Consider EEG if seizures are a concern.
Neurobehavioral/
| Neuropsychiatric eval | For persons age 12 mos: screening for concerns incl sleep disturbances, ADHD, anxiety, /or findings suggestive of ASD
Early studies of bone marrow transplantation demonstrated no benefit in individuals with aspartylglucosaminuria. However, a case series of four children treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplant at an early age (age five months to nine years) demonstrated reduction in aspartylglucosamine and favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes . There are also many small molecules that show promise as chaperone therapies to increase aspartylglucosaminidase activity . For certain missense variants, glycine, asparagine, and betaine can increase aspartylglucosaminidase activity in cell culture, while amlexanox appears to rescue nonsense-mediated decay of nonsense variants .
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
2 trials found
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 6. Aspartylglucosaminuria: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Development | Monitor developmental progress educational needs. | At each visit Neurologic |
Psychiatric | Assessment for anxiety, attention, sleep issues | Annually or as needed |
Dental | Dental exam | Every 6 mos |
ENT | Assessment for recurrent infections | At each visit Musculoskeletal |
Gastrointestinal | Assessment for chronic diarrhea or constipation | At each visit |
Hematologic | Complete blood count w/differential to assess for neutropenia thrombocytopenia | In those w/any clinical manifestations of anemia, recurrent infection, or bleeding abnormality |
Family/Community | Assess family need for social work support (e.g., palliative/respite care, home nursing, other local resources), care coordination, or follow-up genetic counseling if new questions arise (e.g., family planning). | At each visit DXA = dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy |
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
Phenotype severity distribution: 1 always present feature, 17 very common features, 10 common features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
2 clinical trials registered. Interventions under study include drug therapy, gene therapy, and biologic therapy. Pipeline includes 1 PHASE2, 1 PHASE1. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
5 publications have been identified in PubMed for aspartylglucosaminuria. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (60%), Review / Meta-Analysis (20%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (20%).
Gaston J (2026). [PMID: 41399194](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41399194/). *Australas J Dermatol*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Casazza K (2026). [PMID: 42008923](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42008923/). *Mol Genet Metab*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Balasundaram A (2024). [PMID: 37334725](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37334725/). *J Biomol Struct Dyn*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Kouhashi M (2024). [PMID: 38831911](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38831911/). *Neurol Genet*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Gowda VK (2024). [PMID: 38714642](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38714642/). *Indian J Pediatr*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 10 of 12 sources · Last updated Oct 3, 2026, 5:08 PM UTC
Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) provide support, resources, and community for patients and caregivers.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
90%
Mild to moderate |
Other neurologic manifestations | 50% | Seizures, poor balance coordination, progressive cerebral atrophy in adulthood |
Behavioral manifestations | 50% | Hyperactivity in young children, anxiety restlessness in adolescence, apathy in adulthood; disruptive sleep patterns |
Characteristic craniofacial features | 90% | Macrocephaly; coarsening of facial features through childhood adolescence progressing to characteristic facial features in adults: prominent supraorbital ridges, hypertelorism, periorbital fullness, short nose w/broad nasal bridge, relatively small ears, thick vermilion of the lips, macroglossia |
Recurrent infections | 50% | Typically respiratory tract, ear, /or skin infections |
Musculoskeletal manifestations | 30%-50% | Lordosis, scoliosis, arthritis in adolescents young adults; vertebral dysplasia, rib cage abnormalities; progressive muscle wasting, joint contractures, bursitis, osteoporosis in adulthood |
Skin manifestations | 40% | Facial seborrhea, rosacea, angiofibromas |
Gastrointestinal manifestations | 40% | Chronic diarrhea or constipation, abdominal or inguinal hernias |
Cytopenia(s) | 40% | Typically neutropenia or thrombocytopenia Developmental delay. Individuals with aspartylglucosaminuria tend to have mild-to-moderate delays in early developmental milestones. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
— |
— |
— |
SGSH | MPS III (Sanfilippo syndrome) | AR | Neurodevelopmental delay challenging behaviors w/progressive mobility impairment | — | — |
Clinical severity can vary. | GAGs in urine | Phenotypic presentation may be similar to AGU in those w/milder forms of MPS III. | — | — | — |
GUSB | MPS VII (Sly syndrome) | AR | Intellectual decline in some; Coarse features; Dysostosis multiplex; Organomegaly | urinary chondroitin, heparan, dermatan sulfates; Beta-glucuronidase deficiency | — |
IDS | MPS II (Hunter syndrome) | XL | Neurodevelopmental delay challenging behaviors w/progressive mobility impairment in males | — | — |
Clinical severity can vary. | GAGs in urine | Phenotypic presentation may be similar to AGU in those w/milder forms of MPS II.; However, AGU will typically have earlier cognitive impairment compared to mild MPS II. IDUA | — | — | — |
MPS I | AR | Severe form has neurodegeneration from early childhood death by adolescence. | — | — | — |
Attenuated form may have normal early development w/psychomotor decline beginning in adolescence or adulthood. | GAGs in urine | The severe form has a more rapid decline in neurologic function than AGU, the attenuated form is much milder in early childhood. MAN2B1 | — | — | — |
Alpha-mannosidosis | AR | Coarse features; Progressive ataxia; ID; Hearing loss; Skeletal abnormalities; Recurrent infections | urinary oligosaccharides; Acid alpha-mannosidase deficiency | NGLY1 | — |
NGLY1-related congenital disorder of deglycosylation | AR | Mild-to-profound DD/ID; tear production; Liver dysfunction; Hyperkinetic movements (choreoathetosis, dystonia, myoclonus, tremor, dysmetria); Seizures; Sleep disorders; Neuropathy | ALT AST in early childhood that resolves spontaneously; urine mucopolysaccharides; Mild elevation of lactate; Generalized aminoaciduria | SUMF1 | — |
Multiple sulfatase deficiency | AR | Childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorder w/varying severity; Neonatal form is most severe, w/death by age 2 yrs.; Infantile form has a slower progression w/variable rates of psychomotor decline beginning in early childhood. | activity of at least 2 sulfatases; GAGs in urine; sulfatides in urine | T... | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"
ENT | Eval for recurrent ear upper respiratory infections |
| Orthopedics/ physical medicine rehab/ PT OT eval | To incl assessment of:
Gross motor fine motor skills
Contractures kyphoscoliosis
Mobility, ADL, need for adaptive devices
Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) /or OT (to improve fine motor skills)
| • Gastrointestinal eval
Assessment for hernias
| To incl assessment of chronic diarrhea or constipation
| Complete blood count w/differential | To assess for neutropenia /or thrombocytopenia
| By genetics professio...
Source: GeneReviews — "Aspartylglucosaminuria"