An enzyme (phosphotransferase) that, in the presence of ATP, catalyzes the phosphorylation of d-galactose to d-galactose l-phosphate, the first step in the metabolism of d-galactose; g. is deficient in one form of galactosemia.
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ga·lac·to·ki·nase gə-.lak-tō-'kīn-.ās, -'kin-, -.āz n a kinase that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups to galactose
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ga·lac·to·ki·nase (gə-lak″to-kiґnās) [EC 2.7.1.6] an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the reaction ATP + galactose = ADP + galactose 1-phosphate; the initial step of galactose utilization. Absence of enzyme activity, an autosomal recessive trait, results in galactokinase deficiency galactosemia.Medical dictionary. 2011.