14-α-glucan branching enzyme

1,4-α-glu·can branch·ing en·zyme (glooґkan branchґing enґzīm) [EC 2.4.1.18] an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the cleavage of internal α-1,4-glucoside linkages in glycogen (or, in plants, amylopectin) and transfer of the fragments into α-1,6 linkages, thus creating branches in the glycogen molecule. Deficiency of the enzyme, an autosomal recessive trait, results in glycogen storage disease, type IV. Called also brancher or branching enzyme.