The first bovine β1,4-galactosyltransferase reaction with an acyclic acceptor substrate, 3-acetamido-1,2-propanediol, to yield a 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol skeleton

[GRAPHICS] Reactivity of bovine beta1,4-galactosyltransferase was examined for a series of acyclic acceptor substrates both in the presence and the absence of alpha -lactalbumin (alpha -La). It was found that this enzyme could utilize (R)-3-acetamido-1,2-propanediol (1) as an acceptor substrate regardless of the cofactor protein. The product was determined to be 1-O-beta -D-galactopyranosyl-(R)-3-acetamido-1,2-propanediol (2), Glycerol without the acetamido group was inactive, indicating that this functional group prays a key role in the enzyme reaction.