Galactose oxidase

In enzymology, a galactose oxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * D-galactose + O2 $$\rightleftharpoons$$ D-galacto-hexodialdose + H2O2

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are D-galactose and O2, whereas its two products are D-galacto-hexodialdose and H2O2.

This enzyme belongs to the family of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with oxygen as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is D-galactose:oxygen 6-oxidoreductase. Other names in common use include D-galactose oxidase, and beta-galactose oxidase. This enzyme participates in galactose metabolism. It employs one cofactor, copper.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, 9 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , , , , , , , and.