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 (and as such, it is a type of hydrolase).
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 (EC 3.1.1.6), splits off acetyl groups Cholinesterase Acetylcholinesterase, inactivates the neurotransmitter acetylcholine Pseudocholinesterase, broad substrate specificity, found in the blood plasma and in the liver Pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11), clarifies fruit juices EC 3.1.2: Thiolester hydrolases Thioesterase Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 EC 3.1.3: Phosphoric monoester hydrolases Phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.x), 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 (PDE), inactivates the second messenger cAMP cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5, is inhibited by Sildenafil (Viagra) Fructose bisphosphatase (3.1.3.11), 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 (sulfatases) EC 3.1.7: Diphosphoric monoester hydrolases EC 3.1.8: Phosphoric triester hydrolases Exonucleases (deoxyribonucleases and ribonucleases) 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 (deoxyribonucleases and ribonucleases) Endodeoxyribonuclease Endoribonuclease either deoxy- or ribo-
See also Enzyme List of enzymes Carboxylic acid Ester Leukocyte esterase Hemagglutinin esterase Nuclease Lipase Asymmetric ester hydrolysis with pig-liver esterase
External links Enzyme nomenclature