Xylose Isomerase

In enzymology, a xylose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.5) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

D-xylose D-xylulose

This enzyme belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically those intramolecular oxidoreductases interconverting aldoses and ketoses. The systematic name of this enzyme class is D-xylose aldose-ketose-isomerase. Other names in common use include D-xylose isomerase, D-xylose ketoisomerase, and D-xylose ketol-isomerase. This enzyme participates in pentose and glucuronate interconversions and fructose and mannose metabolism. The enzyme is used industrially to convert glucose to fructose in the manufacture of high-fructose corn syrup. It is sometimes referred to as "glucose isomerase".