Abstract
An in silico survey of the −1 subsite of all known 3D‐structures of O‐glycoside hydrolases containing a suitably positioned ligand has led to the recognition – apparently without exceptions – of a transition state stabilising hydrophobic platform which is complementary to a crucial hydrophobic patch of the ligand. This platform is family‐specific and highly conserved. A comprehensive list is given with examples of enzymes belonging to 33 different families. Several typical constellations of platform – protein residues are described.