Assessment of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase activity in cells and tissues

Galactosemias are a family of autosomal recessive genetic disorders resulting from impaired enzymes of the Leloir pathway of galactose metabolism including galactokinase, galactose uridyltransferase, and UDP-galactose 4-epimerase that are critical for conversion of galactose into glucose-6-phosphate. To better understand pathophysiological mechanisms involved in galactosemia and develop novel therapies to address the unmet need in patients, it is important to develop reliable assays to measure the activity of the Leloir pathway enzymes. Here we describe in-depth methods for indirectly measuring galacose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase activity in cell culture and animal tissues.