Galactose mutarotase

Galactose mutarotase (aldose 1-epimerase) (gene name GALM) is a human enzyme that reversibly converts α-aldose to the β-anomer. This enzyme catalyzes the first step of the Leloir pathway, which is involved in galactose metabolism. It belongs to family of aldose epimerases.

The two main amino acids in the enzyme active site are Glu 304, which acts as a Bronsted-Lowry base and abstracts a proton, and His 170, which acts as Bronsted-Lowry Acid to donate a proton to the galactose.