1,4-lactonase (EC 3.1.1.25) is an enzyme that catalyzes the generic reaction
a 1,4-lactone + H2O a 4-hydroxyacid
For example, the enzyme characterised from human blood and rat liver microsomes gives the sugar acid, D-galactonic acid by hydrolyis of D-galactono-1,4-lactone:
This enzyme is a hydrolase, specifically one acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is 1,4-lactone hydroxyacylhydrolase. It is also called γ-lactonase. It requires calcium as Ca2+.
Structural studies As of late 2007, three structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes , , and .
Applications A 1,4-lactonase was expressed in Escherichia coli and used as a highly efficient biocatalyst for asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds.
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