<Tr> <Th> EC number </Th> <Td> 3.2. 1.108 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Locus </Th> <Td> Chr. 2 q21 </Td> </Tr> <P> Lactase is an enzyme produced by many organisms . It is located in the brush border of the small intestine of humans and other mammals . Lactase is essential to the complete digestion of whole milk; it breaks down lactose, a sugar which gives milk its sweetness . Lacking lactase, a person consuming dairy products may experience the symptoms of lactose intolerance . Lactase can be purchased as a food supplement, and is added to milk to produce "lactose - free" milk products . </P> <P> Lactase (also known as lactase - phlorizin hydrolase, or LPH), a part of the β - galactosidase family of enzymes, is a glycoside hydrolase involved in the hydrolysis of the disaccharide lactose into constituent galactose and glucose monomers . Lactase is present predominantly along the brush border membrane of the differentiated enterocytes lining the villi of the small intestine . In humans, lactase is encoded by the LCT gene . </P>

Where is lactase produced in the digestive system