Human Pathology
It is a result of the absence of the glycogen branching enzyme amylo-1,4-1,6 transglucosidase, which is critical in the production of glycogen. This leads to very long unbranched glucose chains being stored in glycogen. The long unbranched molecules have a low solubility which leads to glycogen precipitation in the liver. These deposits subsequently build up in the body tissue, especially the heart and liver. The probable end result is cirrhosis and death within 5 years. In adult polyglucosan body disease the activity of the enzyme is higher and symptoms do not appear until later in life.
Read more about this topic: Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV
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