LCT : lactase
Description
The LCT (lactase) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2.
The LCT gene provides instructions for making the enzyme lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactase is produced by intestinal epithelial cells, which line the walls of the small intestine. These cells have microvilli, small, finger-like projections that collect nutrients for absorption. Lactase functions at the brush border, a group of microvilli, to break down lactose into glucose and galactose, smaller sugars that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Lactase/phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) is a brush border enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. It has broad specificity and can hydrolyze other beta-glucopyranosides and beta-galactopyranosides. One domain prefers hydrophilic aglycones (in lactose and cellobiose), while the other prefers hydrophobic aglycones (in phlorizin and glycosylceramides).
LCT is also known as LAC, LPH, LPH1.
