HEXA hexosaminidase subunit alpha
Gene ID: 3073, updated on 13-Sep-2026Gene type: protein coding
Also known as: TSD
- See all available tests in GTR for this gene
- Go to complete Gene record for HEXA
- Go to Variation Viewer for HEXA variants
Summary
This gene encodes a member of the glycosyl hydrolase 20 family of proteins. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the alpha subunit of the lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase. This enzyme, together with the cofactor GM2 activator protein, catalyzes the degradation of the ganglioside GM2, and other molecules containing terminal N-acetyl hexosamines. Mutations in this gene lead to an accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in neurons, the underlying cause of neurodegenerative disorders termed the GM2 gangliosidoses, including Tay-Sachs disease (GM2-gangliosidosis type I). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, at least one of which encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]
Associated conditions
See all available tests in GTR for this gene
| Description | Tests |
|---|---|
| Tay-Sachs disease | See labs |
Genomic context
- Location:
- 15q23
- Sequence:
- Chromosome: 15; NC_000015.10 (72340924..72376014, complement)
- Total number of exons:
- 14
Variation
| Resource | Links for this gene |
|---|---|
| ClinVar | Variants reported to ClinVar |
| dbVar | Studies and variants |
| SNP | Variation Viewer for HEXA variants |
| Genome viewer | Explore NCBI-annotated and select non-NCBI annotated genome assemblies |
- ClinVarRelated medical variations
- dbVarLink from Gene to dbVar
- HEXA database
- MedGenRelated information in MedGen
- OMIMLink to related OMIM entry
- PubMed (OMIM)Gene links to PubMed derived from omim_pubmed_cited links
- RefSeq RNAsLink to Nucleotide RefSeq RNAs
- RefSeqGeneLink to Nucleotide RefSeqGenes
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