Dictionary > Glycosidase

Glycosidase

Definition
noun, plural: glycosidases
(biochemistry) An enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of a glycoside
Supplement
Glycosidases are enzymes that assist in the hydrolysis of glycosides. They are capable of cleaving the glycosidic bonds such as those in cellulose and hemicellulose.
An example of glycosidases is the lysozyme. Lysozymes are capable of destroying the baceterial cell walls, particularly the gram-positive bacteria. Bacterial cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan of N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglycosamine linked by glycosidic bonds. A damaged cell wall of bacteria makes them lose their cell shape and rigidity. They become vulnerable to the adverse effects of turgor pressure caused by high concentration of proteins and molecules inside the cell relative to the external environment. Apart from the anti-bacterial activity, glycosidases are also involved in other natural metabolic activities, such as trimming mannosidases in N-linked glycoprotein biosynthesis. In prokaryotes, particularly E. coli, glycosidases are involved in the regulation of the lac operon. In most eukaryotes, glycosidases are located inside the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. They also occur in the intestinal tract and in saliva wherein they act on lactose, starch, sucrose, trehalose, etc.
Other examples of glycosidases are lactase, O-GlcNAcase, amylase, hyaluronidase, sucrose, and maltase.
Synonym(s):

  • glycoside hydrolase
  • glycosyl hydrolase

See also:

  • lysozyme
  • hydrolysis


  • You will also like...

    Sensory systems
    Sensory Systems

    A sensory system is a part of the nervous system consisting of sensory receptors that receive stimuli from the internal ..

    Plant biology
    Plant Biology

    Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

    Non-Mendelian Inheritance
    Non-Mendelian Inheritance

    In this tutorial, find out more about certain types of inheritance that does not follow the Mendelian inheritance patter..

    An artistic depiction of Dunkleosteus fish
    Fish

    The sea was teeming with life. Eventually, through reproduction and continued variation, fish came about. There are over..

    Genetics – Lesson Outline & Worksheets
    Genetics – Lesson Outline & Worksheets

      Topics Modules Quizzes/Worksheets Description Introduction to Genetics Genetics – Definition: Heredity and ..

    Consciousness and behavior
    Consciousness and Behavior

    Human consciousness and behavior are an interesting topic since they are determined and controlled by the brain. Conscio..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics