Alpha-glucosidase enzyme (intestinal brush border)

Alpha-glucosidase is a hydrolytic enzyme complex found in the brush border of the small intestine, primarily composed of the membrane-bound glycosidases maltase-glucoamylase and sucrase-isomaltase[1][4]. It catalyzes the final step of carbohydrate digestion by cleaving terminal, non-reducing alpha-(1→4)-linked D-glucose residues from dietary disaccharides and oligosaccharides, producing free glucose for absorption[2][6]. These enzymes are essential for proper nutrient acquisition; dysfunction leads to malabsorption syndromes, while inhibition with drugs such as acarbose can therapeutically reduce postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus[6]. Mutations in genes encoding these enzymes result in disorders such as congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms due to poor carbohydrate digestion[1].

Other names

alpha-glucosidaseα-glucosidasealpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolasemaltase-glucoamylase (MGAM; intestinal subtype)sucrase-isomaltase (SI; intestinal subtype)glucosidoinvertaseα-1,4-glucosidase

competitive inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity in the intestinal brush border, delaying carbohydrate breakdown and glucose absorption[6] reduced postprandial blood glucose increases, providing glycemic control in diabetes[6]