Urease

Urease ({{EC number|3.5.1.5}}) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The reaction occurs as follows: (NH2)2CO + H2O → CO2 + NH3

Related Topics:
Enzyme - Catalyzes - Hydrolysis - Urea - Carbon dioxide - Ammonia - NH₃

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1926 James Sumner shows that urease is a protein. Urease is found in bacteria, yeast and several higher plants.

Related Topics:
1926 - James Sumner - Protein - Bacteria - Yeast - Plant

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Characteristics:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Molecular weight : 480 kDa or 545 kDa for Jack Bean Urease (calculated mass from the amino acid sequence).
• Optimum pH : 7.4
• Enzymatic specificity: urea and hydroxyurea
• Inhibitors : heavy metals, sodium, potassium

A specific urease (which may be used in diagnosis) occurs in Helicobacter pylori.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~