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Related Concept Videos

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis01:13

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of esters under acidic conditions proceeds through a nucleophilic acyl substitution. In the presence of excess water, the reaction proceeds in a reversible manner, forming carboxylic acids and alcohols.
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification01:25

Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification

Esters can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids under acidic or basic conditions. Base-promoted hydrolysis of esters is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which esters react with an aqueous base, followed by an acid to give carboxylic acids. This reaction is also known as saponification because it forms the basis for making soaps from fats.
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
Lysosomal Hydrolases01:22

Lysosomal Hydrolases

Lysosomes are the site for the degradation of macromolecules and biological polymers released during membrane trafficking events such as secretory, endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic pathways. The membrane-enclosed area of the lysosome, called the lumen, contains hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment. These acid hydrolases are functional at a pH between 4.5 and 5 and are involved in cellular processes such as cell signaling, energy metabolism, restoration of the plasma membrane,...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview01:20

Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview

The Fischer esterification reaction was developed by the German chemist Emil Fischer in 1895. It is a condensation reaction between carboxylic acids and alcohols in an acidic medium to give esters and water.
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis01:14

Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

Malonic ester synthesis is a method to obtain α substituted carboxylic acids from ꞵ-diesters such as diethyl malonate and alkyl halides.
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism01:13

Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism

Carboxylic acids react with alcohols to yield esters via an acid-catalyzed condensation reaction called Fischer esterification. This is a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction that proceeds via a tetrahedral intermediate, where a water molecule is eliminated as the leaving group.

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Related Experiment Video

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Expression, Purification, Crystallization, and Enzyme Assays of Fumarylacetoacetate Hydrolase Domain-Containing Proteins
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Carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophiles.

Mark Levisson1, John van der Oost, Servé W M Kengen

  • 1Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, The Netherlands. mark.levisson@wur.nl

Extremophiles : Life Under Extreme Conditions
|June 23, 2009
PubMed
Summary

This review overviews stable carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophilic microbes, detailing their properties and discovery. These enzymes are valuable for biotechnology due to their heat resistance and catalytic abilities.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Extremophile Biology

Background:

  • Carboxylic ester hydrolases are enzymes catalyzing ester bond reactions.
  • These enzymes are found across all life domains, including extremophilic archaea and bacteria.
  • Hyperthermophilic esterases possess high stability, making them attractive for biotechnological uses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review characterized carboxylic ester hydrolases from hyperthermophilic microorganisms.
  • To detail enzyme substrate specificity, kinetics, optimal conditions, and stability.
  • To discuss discovery approaches and highlight known hyperthermophilic enzymes' properties, structure, and classification.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of characterized hyperthermophilic carboxylic ester hydrolases.
  • Analysis of biochemical properties, substrate specificity, kinetics, and stability data.
  • Examination of enzyme structures and classification systems.

Main Results:

  • Overview of known hyperthermophilic esterases and their catalytic capabilities.
  • Detailed biochemical and stability profiles of selected enzymes.
  • Discussion of methods for identifying novel esterases from extreme environments.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperthermophilic carboxylic ester hydrolases represent a stable and versatile enzyme class.
  • Further research into these enzymes can unlock significant biotechnological potential.
  • Understanding their properties aids in enzyme engineering and discovery.