Adenosine deaminase deficiency and severe combined immunodeficiency disease

The nature of the association of adenosine deaminase deficiency and severe combined immunodeficiency disease is reviewed. The basis for the molecular heterogeneity exhibited by adenosine deaminase in human tissue and the mechanisms whereby a deficiency of this activity results in the extreme perturbation of the immune system as observed in severe combined immunodeficiency are critically discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22920/1/0000485.pd