A lactase preparation includes lactase and has a lactase activity of 4,000 NLU/g or more according to the FCC IV method, wherein the lactase originates from a lactase gene of yeast, and wherein the lactase preparation has an arylsulfatase activity of 0.1% or less based on the lactase activity, in which the arylsulfatase activity (unit: U/g) is determined and calculated.

The present invention provides, among other things, improved methods for purifying arylsulfatase A (ASA) protein produced recombinantly for enzyme replacement therapy. The present invention is, in part, based on the surprising discovery that recombinant ASA protein can be purified from unprocessed biological materials, such as, ASA-containing cell culture medium, using a process involving as few as four chromatography columns and only one step of post-chromatographic ultrafiltration/diafiltration.

Provided is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) having an AAVhu68 capsid and a vector genome which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional human arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Also provided are a production system useful for producing the rAAV, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the rAAV, and a method of treating a subject having metachromatic leukodystrophy, or ameliorating symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophy, or delaying progression of metachromatic leukodystrophy via administering an effective amount of rAAV to a subject in need thereof.

The present invention provides, among other things, methods of purifying a protein or polypeptide by affinity chromatography, for example, custom affinity chromatography, followed by downstream chromatographic steps, comprising eluting the recombinant protein from the affinity column using an elution buffer wherein the elution buffer comprises glycine and arginine at a concentration such that conductivity is no greater than the conductivity limit of the subsequent chromatographic resin.

The present invention pertains to a novel treatment of pathologies caused by an increased synthesis or accumulation of sulfolipids such as sulfatide. The invention provides mutated arylsulfatase A (ARSA or ASA, EC 3.1.6.8) enzymes with increased activity towards sulfatide metabolization. The invention provides nucleic acids encoding the mutant ARSA, the use of the proteins and nucleic acids, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, in the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) such as metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).

Provided is a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) having an AAVhu68 capsid and a vector genome which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a functional human arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Also provided are a production system useful for producing the rAAV, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the rAAV, and a method of treating a subject having metachromatic leukodystrophy, or ameliorating symptoms of metachromatic leukodystrophy, or delaying progression of metachromatic leukodystrophy via administrating an effective amount of the rAAV to a subject in need thereof.