Urease - Definition and Overview

Urease (EC 3.5.1.5 (http://us.expasy.org/cgi-bin/nicezyme.pl?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 + 3H2O → CO2 + 2NH4OH

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

Characteristics:

• Molecular weight : 480 kDa
• 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.