α-Galactosidase ( EC 3.2.1.22, α-GAL, α-GAL A; systematic name α-D-galactoside galactohydrolase) is a
glycoside hydrolaseenzyme that catalyses the following reaction:[1]
Hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing α-D-galactose residues in α-D-galactosides, including galactose oligosaccharides, galactomannans and galactolipids
It catalyzes many catabolic processes, including cleavage of glycoproteins, glycolipids, and polysaccharides.
This enzyme is a homodimeric glycoprotein that hydrolyses the terminal α-galactosyl moieties from glycolipids and glycoproteins. It predominantly hydrolyzes
ceramide trihexoside, and it can catalyze the hydrolysis of
melibiose into galactose and glucose.[citation needed]