#Question id: 643

The hydrolysis of lactose is catalysed by b-galactosidase as given below

Which of the following could be correct mechanism for this hydrolysis reaction?

A. Nucleophilic attack by the carboxylate group of Glu/Asp on the C-1 carbon atom of the galactose moiety within glucose, releasing glucose and forming an intermediate with the galactose linked to the enzyme through an ester linkage. Water then attacks this carbon atom, displacing the glutamate carboxylate and releasing galactose.

B. Electrophilic attack by the carboxylate group of Glu/Asp on the C-1 carbon atom of the galactose moiety within glucose, releasing glucose and forming an intermediate with the galactose linked to the enzyme through an ester linkage. Water then attacks this carbon atom, displacing the glutamate carboxylate and releasing galactose.

C. Nucleophilic attack by the carboxylate group of Lys/Arg/His or bivalent cation on the C-1 carbon atom of the galactose moiety within glucose, releasing glucose and forming an intermediate with the galactose linked to the enzyme through an ester linkage. Water then attacks this carbon atom, displacing the glutamate carboxylate and releasing galactose.