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[edit]
- 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
- Cholinesterase
- Pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11), clarifies fruit juices
- Acetylesterase (EC 3.1.1.6), splits off acetyl groups
- EC 3.1.2: Thiolester hydrolases
- 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
- Phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.x), hydrolyses phosphoric acid monoesters into a phosphate ion and an alcohol
- 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[edit]
- Enzyme
- List of enzymes
- Carboxylic acid
- Ester
- Leukocyte esterase
- Hemagglutinin esterase
- Nuclease
- Lipase
- Asymmetric ester hydrolysis with pig-liver esterase
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction