| Function | Mutarotase that catalyzes the interconversion of beta-D-galactose and alpha-D-galactose during galactose metabolism. Beta-D-galactose is metabolized in the liver into glucose 1-phosphate, the primary metabolic fuel, by the action of four enzymes that constitute the Leloir pathway: GALM, GALK1 (galactokinase), GALT (galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase) and GALE (UDP-galactose-4'-epimerase). Involved in the maintenance of the equilibrium between the beta- and alpha-anomers of galactose, therefore ensuring a sufficient supply of the alpha-anomer for GALK1. Also active on D-glucose although shows a preference for galactose over glucose. |
| Protein Name | Galactose MutarotaseAldose 1-Epimerase |
| Database Links | |
| Cellular Localisation | Cytoplasm |
| Alternative Protein Names | Galactose Mutarotase proteinAldose 1-Epimerase proteinGALM proteinBLOCK25 protein |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org