METHYL-BETA-D-GALACTOPYRANOSIDE CAS:1824-94-8

Methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside is commonly used as a substrate in enzyme assays, particularly in studies involving the activity of beta-galactosidase. Beta-galactosidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into galactose and glucose, and methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside serves as an alternative substrate for this enzyme. By measuring the enzyme's activity on this substrate, researchers can determine the effectiveness of different inhibitors or activators on beta-galactosidase.

Additionally, methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside is employed as a molecular probe to study carbohydrate recognition and interactions, particularly in lectin-mediated processes. Lectins are proteins that specifically bind to carbohydrates, and they play critical roles in various biological processes such as cell adhesion, immune response, and signaling. Methyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside can be used to assess the binding affinity of lectins towards galactose-containing carbohydrates. This helps in understanding the structure-function relationship of lectins and their role in biological processes.