Glucosidases are the

glycoside hydrolase Glycoside hydrolases (also called glycosidases or glycosyl hydrolases) catalyze the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in complex sugars. They are extremely common enzymes with roles in nature including degradation of biomass such as cellulose (ce ...

enzymes categorized under the EC number 3.2.1.

Function

Alpha-glucosidase α-Glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20, maltase, glucoinvertase, glucosidosucrase, maltase-glucoamylase, α-glucopyranosidase, glucosidoinvertase, α-D-glucosidase, α-glucoside hydrolase, α-1,4-glucosidase, α-D-glucoside glucohydrolase; systematic n ...

s are enzymes involved in breaking down complex carbohydrates such as starch and glycogen into their

monomer In chemistry, a monomer ( ; '' mono-'', "one" + ''-mer'', "part") is a molecule that can react together with other monomer molecules to form a larger polymer chain or three-dimensional network in a process called polymerization. Classification ...

s. They catalyze the cleavage of individual

glucosyl A glycosyl group is a univalent free radical or substituent structure obtained by removing the hemiacetal hydroxyl group from the cyclic form of a monosaccharide and, by extension, of a lower oligosaccharide. Glycosyl also reacts with inorganic ...

residues from various

glycoconjugates Glycoconjugates are the classification family for carbohydrates – referred to as glycans – which are covalently linked with chemical species such as proteins, peptides, lipids, and other compounds. Glycoconjugates are formed in processes term ...

including alpha- or beta-linked polymers of glucose. This enzyme convert complex sugars into simpler ones.

Members

Different sources include different members in this class. Members marked with a "#" are considered by

MeSH A mesh is a barrier made of connected strands of metal, fiber, or other flexible or ductile materials. A mesh is similar to a web or a net in that it has many attached or woven strands. Types * A plastic mesh may be extruded, oriented, exp ...

to be glucosidases.

Clinical significance

Alpha-glucosidases are targeted by alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose and miglitol to control diabetes mellitus type 2.

References

External links

* {{Portal bar, Biology, border=no Hydrolases Carbohydrates EC 3.2

Function

Members

Clinical significance

See also

References

External links