Cysteine lyase


The enzyme cysteine lyase catalyzes the chemical reaction
This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the class of carbon-sulfur lyases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-cysteine hydrogen-sulfide-lyase . Other names in common use include cysteine lyase, and L-cysteine hydrogen-sulfide-lyase . This enzyme participates in cysteine and taurine metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.

Evolution

Genes encoding cysteine lyase originated around 300 million years ago by a tandem gene duplication and neofunctionalization of cystathionine β-lyase shortly after the split of mammalian and reptilian lineages. CL genes are found only in Sauropsida where they are involved in a metabolic pathway for sulfur metabolism in the chicken egg.