Urease
Urease
Urease (/juːˈriːeɪz/) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The reaction occurs as follows:
- (NH2)2CO + H2O → CO2 + 2NH3.
Urease is found in numerous bacteria, yeasts, and plants.
Etymology
The term "urease" comes from the substrate urea and the suffix -ase used to denote enzymes.
Function
Urease plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle, converting urea, which is relatively inert, into ammonia, which can be readily used by plants and microorganisms. In humans and other mammals, urease-producing bacteria are often found in the gut, where they contribute to the breakdown of urea produced by the body.
Related Terms
- Enzyme: A protein that acts as a biological catalyst.
- Urea: A nitrogenous compound containing a carbonyl group attached to two amine groups; produced by living organisms but can also be artificially synthesized.
- Nitrogen cycle: The series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms.
- Ammonia: A compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3.
See Also
- Proteus mirabilis: A bacterium known for its urease activity.
- Helicobacter pylori: A bacterium that uses urease to neutralize stomach acid, allowing it to survive in the stomach lining.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Urease
- Wikipedia's article - Urease
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