The enzyme S-formylglutathione hydrolase (EC 3.1.2.12) catalyzes the reaction
The enzyme characterised from human liver hydrolyses S-formylglutathione to glutathione and formic acid, which forms the thioester in the starting material. The enzyme is part of a biochemical pathway that removes formaldehyde, which is toxic to many organisms. The structure of the enzyme from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis has been determined by X-ray crystallography.
This enzyme is a hydrolase, specifically one acting on thioester bonds. The systematic name is ''S''-formylglutathione hydrolase.
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