galactokinase activity

Definition

Target type: molecularfunction

Catalysis of the reaction: D-galactose + ATP = alpha-D-galactose 1-phosphate + ADP + 2 H+. [EC:2.7.1.6, RHEA:13553]

Galactokinase activity refers to the enzymatic catalysis of the phosphorylation of galactose, a six-carbon sugar, to galactose-1-phosphate. This reaction is the first step in the Leloir pathway, a metabolic route that allows organisms to utilize galactose as an energy source. The enzyme responsible for this activity is galactokinase, which utilizes ATP as the phosphate donor. The reaction proceeds in two steps: 1) Galactokinase binds both galactose and ATP. 2) The enzyme transfers the phosphate group from ATP to galactose, forming galactose-1-phosphate and ADP. This phosphorylation is crucial as it traps galactose within the cell and allows for its further metabolism. The reaction is highly specific for galactose, exhibiting little or no activity with other hexoses. Galactokinase activity is essential for maintaining normal glucose homeostasis and plays a key role in the utilization of dietary galactose. Deficiencies in galactokinase activity can lead to galactosemia, a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to properly metabolize galactose.'
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Proteins (2)

Compounds (1)