Branching and debranching enzymes use the exact same mechanism to add and remove the branches of the glycogen polymer.

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Branching enzymes (glycosyltransferases) catalyze the formation of α-1,6-glycosidic linkages, creating branches in the glycogen molecule, while debranching enzymes (a combination of a 4-α-D-glucanotransferase and a α-1,6-glucosidase) remove these branches by breaking α-1,6-glycosidic linkages and transferring the outer branches. These processes involve different enzymatic activities and mechanisms.

Branching and Debranching Enzymes Use the Exact Same Mechanism to Add