Galacturan 1,4-α-galacturonidase

The enzyme galacturan 1,4-α-galacturonidase catalyzes the following chemical reaction:


 * (1,4-α-D-galacturonide)n + H2O $$\rightleftharpoons$$ (1,4-α- D -galacturonide)n-1 + D -galacturonate

It belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those glycosidases that hydrolyse O- and S-glycosyl compounds. The systematic name is poly(1,4-α- D -galacturonide) galacturonohydrolase. Other names in common use include exopolygalacturonase, poly(galacturonate) hydrolase, exo- D -galacturonase, exo- D -galacturonanase, and exopoly- D -galacturonase. This enzyme participates in pentose and glucuronate interconversions and starch and sucrose metabolism.