enzymology Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...

, a 4-alpha-glucanotransferase () is an enzyme that

catalyzes Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...

a chemical reaction that transfers a segment of a 1,4-alpha-D-glucan to a new position in an acceptor carbohydrate, which may be glucose or a 1,4-alpha-D-

glucan A glucan is a polysaccharide derived from D-glucose, linked by glycosidic bonds. Glucans are noted in two forms: alpha glucans and beta glucans. Many beta-glucans are medically important. They represent a drug target for antifungal medications of ...

. This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases, specifically the hexosyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 1,4-alpha-D-glucan:1,4-alpha-D-glucan 4-alpha-D-glycosyltransferase. Other names in common use include disproportionating enzyme, dextrin glycosyltransferase, D-enzyme, debranching enzyme maltodextrin glycosyltransferase, amylomaltase, and dextrin transglycosylase. This enzyme participates in starch and sucrose metabolism in plants. Studies of the enzyme from potato led to the discovery of

cycloamylose Cycloamyloses are cyclic α-1,4 linked glucans comprising dozens or hundreds of glucose units. Chemically they are similar to the much smaller cyclodextrins, which are typically composed of 6, 7 or 8 glucose units. Discovery Cycloamyloses w ...

Structural studies

As of late 2007, 14 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

References

* * * * * EC 2.4.1 Enzymes of known structure {{2.4-enzyme-stub