Alpha amylase <p>O-Glycosyl hydrolases <db_xref db="EC" dbkey="3.2.1."/> are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [<cite idref="PUB00004870"/>, <cite idref="PUB00005266"/>]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site.</p><p>Alpha amylase is classified as family 13 of the glycosyl hydrolases. The structure is an 8 stranded alpha/beta barrel containing the active site, interrupted by a ~70 aa. calcium-binding domain protruding between beta strand 3 and alpha-helix 3, and a carboxyl-terminal Greek key beta-barrel domain.</p>