In enzymology, a L-arabinose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.4) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
L-arabinose formula_1 L-ribulose
Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, L-arabinose, and one product, L-ribulose.
This enzyme belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically those intramolecular oxidoreductases interconverting aldoses and ketoses. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-arabinose aldose-ketose-isomerase. This enzyme participates in pentose and glucuronate interconversions.
This enzyme catalyses the conversion of L-arabinose to L-ribulose as the first step in the pathway of L-arabinose utilization as a carbon source.
Structural studies.
As of late 2007, two structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes 2AJT and 2HXG.
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;