Maltase-glucoamylase

The N-terminal maltase-glucoamylase enzymatic unit is in turn composed of 5 specific protein domains. The first of the 5 protein domains consist of a P-type trefoil domain[13] containing a cysteine rich domain. Second is an N-terminal beta-sandwich domain, identified via two antiparallel beta pleated sheets. The third and largest domain consists of a catalytic (beta/alpha) barrel type domain containing two inserted loops. The fourth and 5th domains are C-terminal domains, similar to the N-terminal beta-sandwich domain. The N-terminal Maltase-glucoamylase does not have the +2/+3 sugar binding active sites and so it cannot bind to larger substrates. The N-terminal domain shows its optimal enzymatic affinity for substrates maltose, maltotriose, maltotetrose, and maltopentose.

The C-terminal glucase enzymatic unit contains extra binding sites, which allows for it to bind to larger substrates for catalytic digestion.[10] It was originally understood that maltase-glucoamylase's crystalline structure was inherently similar throughout the N and C-termini. Further studies have found that the C-terminus is composed of 21 more amino acid residues than the N-terminus, which account for its difference in function. Sucrase-Isomaltase –– located on chromosome 3q26–– has a similar crystalline structure to maltase-glucoamylase and work in tandem in the human small intestine. They have been derived from a common ancestor, as they both come from the same GH31 family.[8] As a result of having similar properties, both of these enzymes work together in the small intestine in order to convert consumed starch into glucose for metabolic energy. The difference between these two enzymes is that maltase-glucoamylase has a specific activity at the 1-4 linkage of sugar, where at SI has a specific activity at the 1-6 linkage.[10]