1,4-lactonase
Template:Short description Template:Infobox enzyme The enzyme 1,4-lactonase (EC 3.1.1.25) catalyzes the generic reaction
- a 1,4-lactone + H2O a 4-hydroxyacid
This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is 1,4-lactone hydroxyacylhydrolase. It is also called γ-lactonase. It participates in galactose metabolism and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. It employs one cofactor, Ca2+.
Structural studies
As of late 2007, three structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes Template:PDB link, Template:PDB link, and Template:PDB link.
Applications
In a study by Chen et al. a 1,4-lactonase was expressed in E. coli and used as a highly efficient biocatalyst for asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds.[1]