Purification and properties of galactosyltransferase from human colostrum

The galactosyltransferase (Uridine diphosphate-D-galactose: D-glucose 1-galactosyltransferase EC 2.4.1.22) was purified from human colostrum by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, cellulose phosphate, sephadex G-100, and hydroxylapatite after removal of caseins by centrifugation. The final preparation showed two forms of protein on polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, and both of them exhibited galactosyltransferase activity. The molecular weights of the two forms of the protein were estimated as 44,000 to 45,000 and 55,000 to 57,000 by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. General properties of galactosyltransferase were investigated.