Classification, Substrate Specificity and Application of α-Galactosidases

Abstract

Galactose is found in many oligosaccharides, galactomannans, glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are widely distributed in plants microorganisms and animals. α-Galactosidase (α-Gal) catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,6-linked α-galactosyl residues and transgalactosylation. α-Gals are classified into four glycoside hydrolases families (GH): 4, 27, 36 and 57. The majority of known α-Gals belongs to GH families 27 and 36.α-Gals are of particular interest in view of their biotechnological applications.