This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the hydro-lyases, which cleave carbon-oxygen bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is D-galactonate hydro-lyase (2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-alactonate-forming). Other names in common use include D-galactonate dehydrase, D-galactonate dehydratase, and D-galactonate hydro-lyase. This enzyme participates in galactose metabolism.
References
DE LEY J, DOUDOROFF M (1957). "The metabolism of D-galactose in Pseudomonas saccharophila". J. Biol. Chem. 227 (2): 745–57. PMID13462997.