Background of the antigen
GALE is a 348 amino acid protein that functions as the third enzyme in the Leloir pathway of galactose metabolism. A member of the sugar epimerase family, GALE exists as a homodimer, binds FAD as a cofactor and catalyzes the epimerization of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine to UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine and UDP-glucose to UDP-galactose. The gene encoding GALE maps to human chromosome 1p36.11 and mutations in this gene lead to the development of complex disorder known as epimerase-deficiency galactosemia (EDG) or galactosemia type 3, which is characterized by mental retardation, liver damage, cataracts and deafness.
