Galactonate dehydratase

In enzymology, a galactonate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.6) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, D-galactonate, and two products, 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-galactonate and H₂O.

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the hydro-lyases, which cleave carbon-oxygen bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is D-galactonate hydro-lyase (2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-galactonate-forming). Other names in common use include D-galactonate dehydrase, D-galactonate dehydratase, and D-galactonate hydro-lyase. This enzyme participates in galactose metabolism.