B3GALT1
B3GALT1 (beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase 1, also known as beta3Gal-T1) is a Golgi-resident glycosyltransferase that transfers galactose from UDP-galactose onto terminal beta-GlcNAc residues. It contributes to the biosynthesis of carbohydrate chains on glycolipids and glycoproteins. Browse Assay Genie's current range of B3GALT1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
B3GALT1 is a beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase that transfers galactose from UDP-alpha-D-galactose to acceptor substrates carrying a terminal beta-N-acetylglucosamine (beta-GlcNAc) residue. In doing so it takes part in building the carbohydrate moieties of glycolipids and glycoproteins. The enzyme is inactive towards substrates with terminal alpha-GlcNAc or alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine (alpha-GalNAc), and shows strict donor specificity for UDP-galactose.
The B3GALT1 gene belongs to the beta3GalT gene family, whose members encode type II membrane-bound glycoproteins that use different donor substrates (UDP-galactose and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine) and different acceptor sugars (N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine). The protein localises to the Golgi apparatus membrane and belongs to the glycosyltransferase 31 family. HGNC places it in the beta 3-glycosyltransferases gene group. The coding sequence is contained in a single exon, and the gene is described as expressed exclusively in the brain. The mouse ortholog is B3galt1.
The carbohydrate chains made by beta3GalT enzymes are designated type 1 chains, whereas beta4GalT enzymes synthesise type 2 chains. The ratio of type 1 to type 2 chains changes during embryogenesis. The beta3GalT genes are distantly related to the Drosophila Brainiac gene, and by sequence similarity B3GALT1 groups with beta3GalT2, beta3GalT3 and beta3GalT5, apart from beta3GalT4. Earlier names for the gene include UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta 1,3-galactosyltransferase, polypeptide 1.
B3GALT1 is a defined galactosyltransferase acting on terminal beta-GlcNAc, making it a useful model for studying how glycoprotein and glycolipid carbohydrate chains are assembled.
As a type II membrane protein of the Golgi apparatus, B3GALT1 helps researchers examine glycosyltransferase localisation and the organisation of glycan biosynthesis.
Because the B3GALT1 gene is expressed exclusively in the brain, it is relevant to studies of brain-specific glycosylation.
Type 1 carbohydrate chains made by beta3GalT enzymes change in ratio to type 2 chains during embryogenesis, linking B3GALT1 to developmental glycan studies.
B3GALT1 transfers galactose from UDP-alpha-D-galactose to substrates with a terminal beta-GlcNAc residue, forming a beta-1,3 linkage. This contributes to the carbohydrate moieties of glycolipids and glycoproteins. It does not act on terminal alpha-GlcNAc or alpha-GalNAc substrates.
B3GALT1 is also written beta3Gal-T1, and its full name is beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase 1. Previous names include UDP-Gal:betaGlcNAc beta 1,3-galactosyltransferase, polypeptide 1. It belongs to the beta3GalT family and the HGNC group of beta 3-glycosyltransferases.
A mouse ortholog, B3galt1, is recorded for this gene. The enzyme is part of the glycosyltransferase 31 family, and the beta3GalT genes are distantly related to Drosophila Brainiac. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other beta3GalT family members and galactosyltransferases involved in glycan biosynthesis.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9Y5Z6; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.