Acetylsalicylate deacetylase (EC 3.1.1.55) catalyzes the reaction
The enzyme characterised from mammals hydrolyses aspirin to salicylic acid and acetic acid. The reaction is important in the metabolism of aspirin when used as a pharmaceutical drug.
This enzyme is a hydrolase, specifically one acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is acetylsalicylate O-acetylhydrolase. Other names in common use include aspirin esterase, acetylsalicylic acid esterase, and aspirin hydrolase.
References