The uncharacterized ORF YMR278w of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a member of D-phosphohexomutase super family, annotated as phosphoribomutase. In order to evaluate its functional role, we cloned, over-expressed and purified YMR278w protein. The protein product of YMR278w exhibits phosphoglucomutase activity. S158T mutant derivative of YMR278w protein lost phosphoglucomutase activity. Purified YMR278w protein has higher K-m for glucose-1-phosphate compared to other known phosphoglucomutases. Trehalose content was reduced in YMR278w disruptant as compared to the wild type strain. Based on the above results we suggest that YMR278w encodes phosphoglucomutase and not phosphoribomutase. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.