1) β-galactosidase is a unique enzyme, in that it can have multiple substrates. What are some other substrates for β-galactosidase? What are some other inhibitors for β-galactosidase?

The natural substrate of beta glycosidase enzyme is Ganglioside GMI, Lactosylceramide, lactose and glycoprotein.

Inhibitors of beta galactosidase enzyme is 1,4-dithiothreitol, beta marcaptoethanol, 4-chloromercurobenzoic acid and Acid-beta galactosidase.

Explanation:

Beta galactosidase enzyme performs the hydrolysis of beta galactosides into monosaccharides. It acts on aryl, amino, alkyl beta glycosidic linkages also.

The enzyme attacks on the bond formed between organic entity and galactose sugar.

It can act on multiple substrates. Some substrates are :

Ganglioside GMI

Lactosylceramide

Lactose : Enzyme beta galactosidase enzyme is a boon for lactose intolerant people because it breaks lactose in yoghurt, sour cream and cheese and makes it easy for consumption to such people.

glycoprotein : These have glycosidic bonds on which enzyme works to break the bonds.

The inhibitors for the β-galactosidase are :

  4-dithiothreitol

beta marcaptoethanol

4-chloromercurobenzoic acid

Acid-beta galactosidase.

When inhibitors are bind to enzyme it breaks down the inhibitor and reaction does not takes place.