Glucosyltransferase

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Glucosyltransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of glucose molecules from an activated donor molecule, usually UDP-glucose, to an acceptor molecule such as a protein, lipid, or another carbohydrate molecule. This reaction results in the formation of glycosidic bonds, which play important roles in various biological processes such as cell recognition and signaling.

There are several types of glucosyltransferases found in nature, each with specific functions and substrate specificities. One well-known example is the glucosyltransferase produced by the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, which plays a key role in the formation of dental plaque and tooth decay by converting dietary sugars into sticky polysaccharides that adhere to tooth surfaces.
Glucosyltransferases have also been used in biotechnology for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates, such as oligosaccharides and glycoproteins, which have applications in fields such as medicine and biotechnology.