InterPro: IPR002252 Glycoside hydrolase, family 36

O-Glycosyl hydrolases EC:3.2.1. are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [1, 2, 3]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site [4]. Because the fold of proteins is better conserved than their sequences, some of the families can be grouped in clans.

Glycoside hydrolase family 36 GH36 comprises enzymes with only one known activity; alpha-galactosidase (EC:3.2.1.22).

Alpha-galactosidase (melibiase) catalyses the hydrolysis of melibiose into galactose and glucose [5]. In man, deficiency in the enzyme results in Fabry's disease (X-linked sphingolipidosis). An Escherichia coli plasmid-encoded alpha-galactosidase (rafA) [6] contains a region of about 50 amino acids that is similar to a domain of the eukaryotic alpha-galactosidases.