The enzyme UDP-glucose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2), also known as UDP-galactose 4-epimerase or GALE, is a homodimeric epimerase found in bacterial, fungal, plant, and mammalian cells. This enzyme performs the final step in the Leloir pathway of galactose metabolism, catalyzing the reversible conversion of UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose.[1] GALE tightly binds nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a co-factor required for catalytic activity.[2]
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UDP-glucose 4-epimerase |
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Aliases | UDPgalactose 4-epimerase4-epimeraseuridine diphosphate glucose 4-epimeraseUDPG-4-epimeraseUDP-galactose 4-epimeraseuridine diphosphoglucose epimeraseuridine diphospho-galactose-4-epimeraseUDP-D-galactose 4-epimeraseUDP-glucose epimeraseuridine diphosphoglucose 4-epimeraseuridine diphosphate galactose 4-epimerase |
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Quick Facts NAD-dependent epimerase/dehydratase, Identifiers ...
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Additionally, human and some bacterial GALE isoforms reversibly catalyze the formation of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) in the presence of NAD+, an initial step in glycoprotein or glycolipid synthesis.[3]