Substrate binding and catalytic mechanism of UDP-α-D-galactofuranose: β-galactofuranoside β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferase GfsA.

UDP-α-D-galactofuranose (UDP-Galf): β-galactofuranoside β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferase, known as GfsA, is essential in synthesizing β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl oligosaccharides that are incorporated into the cell wall of pathogenic fungi. This study analyzed the structure and function of GfsA from . To provide crucial insights into the catalytic mechanism and substrate recognition, the complex structure was elucidated with manganese (Mn), a donor substrate product (UDP), and an acceptor sugar molecule (β-galactofuranose).