1,4-lactonase

In enzymology, a 1,4-lactonase (EC 3.1.1.25) is an enzyme that catalyzes the generic chemical reaction:

a 1,4-lactone + H₂O ${\displaystyle \rightleftharpoons }$ a 4-hydroxyacid

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are 1,4-lactone and H₂O, whereas its product is .

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 1,4-lactone hydroxyacylhydrolase. This enzyme is also called gamma-lactonase. This enzyme participates in galactose metabolism and . It employs one cofactor, calcium.

Structural studies[]

As of late 2007, three structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes 2DG0, 2DG1, and 2DSO.

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]

References[]

• Fishbein WN, Bessman SP (1966). "Purification and properties of an enzyme in human blood and rat liver microsomes catalyzing the formation and hydrolysis of gamma-lactones. I. Tissue localization, stoichiometry, specificity, distinction from esterase". J. Biol. Chem. 241 (21): 4835–41. PMID 4958984.
• Fishbein WN, Bessman SP (1966). "Purification and properties of an enzyme in human blood and rat liver microsomes catalyzing the formation and hydrolysis of gamma-lactones. II. Metal ion effects, kinetics, and equilibra". J. Biol. Chem. 241 (21): 4842–7. PMID 4958985.