Esterases
| Esterases | ||
|---|---|---|
| Enzyme classification | ||
| EC, category | 3.1.-.- , hydrolases | |
| Response type | Deacylation | |
| Substrate | Carboxylic / sulfur / phosphoric acid esters + H 2 O | |
| Products | Carboxylic acid / sulfate / phosphate + alcohol | |
| Occurrence | ||
| Parent taxon | Creature | |
Esterases are enzymes in all living things that are able to hydrolytically split esters into an alcohol and an acid ( saponification ). They are therefore hydrolases . Fat-splitting esterases are called lipases . Phosphate- splitting esterases are called phosphatases . The cleavage of nucleic acids is done by nucleases .
Esterases in the narrow sense (Carboxyesterasen) found in the biocatalysis as a biocatalyst application. Esterases are found in the human liver , among other things . Pig liver esterase (PLE) , for example, is of industrial importance .
Web links
- Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB): Enzyme Nomenclature. Recommendations. EC 3.1: Acting on Ester Bonds.
- ExPASy: Esterases .