Esterase
In biochemistry, an esterase is a class of enzyme that splits esters into an acid and an alcohol in a chemical reaction with water called hydrolysis.
A wide range of different esterases exist that differ in their substrate specificity, their protein structure, and their biological function.
EC classification/list of enzymes
- EC 3.1.1: Carboxylic ester hydrolases
- * Acetylesterase, splits off acetyl groups
- ** Cholinesterase
- *** Acetylcholinesterase, inactivates the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
- *** Pseudocholinesterase, broad substrate specificity, found in the blood plasma and in the liver
- * Pectinesterase, clarifies fruit juices
- EC 3.1.2: Thiolester hydrolases
- * Thioesterase
- ** Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1
- EC 3.1.3: Phosphoric monoester hydrolases
- * Phosphatase, hydrolyses phosphoric acid monoesters into a phosphate ion and an alcohol
- ** Alkaline phosphatase, removes phosphate groups from many types of molecules, including nucleotides, proteins, and alkaloids.
- ** Phosphodiesterase, inactivates the second messenger cAMP
- *** cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5, is inhibited by Sildenafil
- * Fructose bisphosphatase, converts fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to fructose-6-phosphate in gluconeogenesis
- EC 3.1.4: Phosphoric diester hydrolases
- EC 3.1.5: Triphosphoric monoester hydrolases
- EC 3.1.6: Sulfuric ester hydrolases
- EC 3.1.7: Diphosphoric monoester hydrolases
- EC 3.1.8: Phosphoric triester hydrolases
- Exonucleases
- * EC 3.1.11: Exodeoxyribonucleases producing 5'-phosphomonoesters
- * EC 3.1.13: Exoribonucleases producing 5'-phosphomonoesters
- * EC 3.1.14: Exoribonucleases producing 3'-phosphomonoesters
- * EC 3.1.15: Exonucleases active with either ribo- or deoxy-
- Endonucleases
- * Endodeoxyribonuclease
- * Endoribonuclease
- * either deoxy- or ribo-