Galacturonokinase

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Galacturonokinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of D-galacturonate to D-galacturonate 1-phosphate. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, specifically in the Uronic acid pathway, which is responsible for the catabolism of sugars containing uronic acids.

Function[edit | edit source]

Galacturonokinase is involved in the second step of the Uronic acid pathway, where it catalyzes the conversion of D-galacturonate into D-galacturonate 1-phosphate. This reaction involves the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to D-galacturonate, which is facilitated by the enzyme.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The structure of galacturonokinase is similar to other kinases, with a large binding pocket for the substrate and a smaller one for the ATP molecule. The enzyme is composed of two domains, a large domain that binds the D-galacturonate and a smaller domain that binds the ATP.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Deficiencies in galacturonokinase can lead to a buildup of D-galacturonate in the body, which can cause a variety of health problems. However, such deficiencies are extremely rare and not well-studied.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD