The enzyme was first isolated from the root of the common asparagus (Asparagus officinalis).[1] It is specific for substrate sterols with the uncommon 5β-configuration (sarsasapogenin and smilagenin), that is with a cis-linkage between the A and B rings of the steroid nucleus.[1]
This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases, specifically the hexosyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is UDP-glucose:(3β,5β,25S)-spirostan-3-ol 3-O-β-D-glucosyltransferase. This enzyme is also called uridine diphosphoglucose-sarsasapogenin glucosyltransferase.
References
^ abcPaczkowski C, Wojciechowski ZA (1988), "The occurrence of UDPG-dependent glucosyltransferase specific for sarsasapogenin in Asparagus officinalis", Phytochemistry, 27 (9): 2743–47, doi:10.1016/0031-9422(88)80654-X