{{Short description|Class of enzymes which split esters into an acid and alcohol via hydrolysis}} {{distinguish|Transferase}}
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 == * ''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 ** Pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11), clarifies fruit juices * ''EC 3.1.2'': Thiolester hydrolases ** Thioesterase *** Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 * ''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 * ''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 == * Enzyme * List of enzymes * Carboxylic acid * Ester * Leukocyte esterase * Hemagglutinin esterase * Nuclease * Lipase * Asymmetric ester hydrolysis with pig-liver esterase
== External links == * [http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzyme/EC3/1/ Enzyme nomenclature]
{{Esterases}} {{Enzymes}} {{Portal bar|Biology|border=no}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Hydrolases Category:Esters Category:EC 3.1 Category:Neurophysiology