Displays arylsulfatase activity at acidic pH towards artificial substrates, such as p-nitrocatechol sulfate and also, but with a lower activity towards p-nitrophenyl sulfate and 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (, ). Catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 3-sulfate groups of the N-sulfo-D-glucosamine 3-O-sulfate units of heparin .
Subcellular locations: Lysosome
The 63-kDa precursor protein localizes to pre-lysosomal compartments and tightly associates with organelle membranes, most likely the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, proteolytically processed fragments of 34-, 18- and 10-kDa are found in lysosomal fractions and lose their membrane association.
Widely expressed, with very low expression in brain, lung, heart and skeletal muscle.