Dihydroorotase (, carbamoylaspartic dehydrase, dihydroorotate hydrolase) is an enzyme which converts carbamoyl aspartic acid into 4,5-dihydroorotic acid in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines. It forms a multifunctional enzyme with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase and aspartate transcarbamoylase.
The reaction is reversible and the active site has a hydroxide bridge held between the two zinc cations. This enzyme in pyrimidine biosynthesis has been suggested as a target for anti-malarial drugs.
See also Pyrimidine biosynthesis
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