A4 beta-galactosidase middle domain: a type 1 glutamine amidotransferase (GATase1)-like domain. A4 beta-galactosidase middle domain: a type 1 glutamine amidotransferase (GATase1)-like domain. This group includes proteins similar to beta-galactosidase from Thermus thermophilus. Beta-Galactosidase hydrolyzes the beta-1,4-D-galactosidic linkage of lactose, as well as those of related chromogens, o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONP-Gal) and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactoside (X-gal). This A4 beta-galactosidase middle domain lacks the catalytic triad of typical GATase1 domains. The reactive Cys residue found in the sharp turn between a beta strand and an alpha helix termed the nucleophile elbow in typical GATase1 domains is not conserved in this group.
glycosyl hydrolase family 36 (GH36). GH36 enzymes occur in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea with a wide range of hydrolytic activities, including alpha-galactosidase, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, stachyose synthase, and raffinose synthase. All GH36 enzymes cleave a terminal carbohydrate moiety from a substrate that varies considerably in size, depending on the enzyme, and may be either a starch or a glycoprotein. GH36 members are retaining enzymes that cleave their substrates via an acid/base-catalyzed, double-displacement mechanism involving a covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate. Two aspartic acid residues have been identified as the catalytic nucleophile and the acid/base, respectively.