Acylase
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
Acylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acyl groups from various substrates. These enzymes are crucial in the metabolism of amino acids, peptides, and other compounds, playing a significant role in both biological and industrial processes.
Function[edit | edit source]
Acylases are involved in the removal of acyl groups from amino acids and peptides. This process is essential for the proper functioning of metabolic pathways and the synthesis of various biomolecules. Acylases can be specific for different substrates, including N-acyl amino acids, N-acyl peptides, and other acylated compounds.
Types of Acylases[edit | edit source]
There are several types of acylases, each with specific substrate preferences and functions:
- Aminoacylase - Catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acylated amino acids.
- Peptidyl acylase - Acts on N-acylated peptides.
- Acylase I - Known for its role in the hydrolysis of N-acylated amino acids.
- Acylase II - Functions similarly to Acylase I but with different substrate specificity.
Biological Importance[edit | edit source]
Acylases are vital for the degradation and recycling of proteins and peptides within the cell. They help maintain the balance of amino acids and other metabolites, which is crucial for cellular homeostasis. Additionally, acylases are involved in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds by removing acyl groups, making them more water-soluble and easier to excrete.
Industrial Applications[edit | edit source]
In the industrial sector, acylases are used in the production of pharmaceuticals, food additives, and biodegradable plastics. They are employed in the synthesis of chiral compounds, which are important in the development of drugs and other bioactive molecules. The ability of acylases to selectively hydrolyze specific substrates makes them valuable tools in biocatalysis and biotechnology.
Related Enzymes[edit | edit source]
Acylases are part of a larger family of enzymes that include:
- Proteases - Enzymes that break down proteins into peptides and amino acids.
- Lipases - Enzymes that hydrolyze fats into glycerol and fatty acids.
- Esterases - Enzymes that split esters into an acid and an alcohol.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian