An unusual alpha galactosidase [abstract]

Abstract

The n-acetyl galactosaminidase from Clostridium perfringens removes the terminal n-acetyl galactosamine from the A trisaccharide of human blood group A glycotypes thereby converting cells of Blood Type A to cells of the universal donor, Blood Type O. Although the enzyme has important applications in seroconversion, its physiological function in the bacterium has not been investigated. I am investigating the following possibilities: 1. The sugar is used as a carbon/energy source. 2. The sugar plays a role in biofilm formation. 3. The sugar is incorporated into a cell surface polysaccharide.