[7] In the small intestine, this enzyme works in synergy with sucrase-isomaltase and alpha-amylase to digest the full range of dietary starches.

GH31 enzymes undergo what is known as the Koshland double displacement mechanism[11] in which a glycosylation and deglycosylation step occurs, resulting in the retention of the overall configuration of the anomeric center.

The N-terminal domain shows its optimal enzymatic affinity for substrates maltose, maltotriose, maltotetrose, and maltopentose.

Sucrase-Isomaltase –– located on chromosome 3q26–– has a similar crystalline structure to maltase-glucoamylase and work in tandem in the human small intestine.

[8] As a result of having similar properties, both of these enzymes work together in the small intestine in order to convert consumed starch into glucose for metabolic energy.