Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
10:21
Expression, Purification, Crystallization, and Enzyme Assays of Fumarylacetoacetate Hydrolase Domain-Containing Proteins
Published on: June 20, 2019
[Progress in the structure and function of human carboxylesterase 1]
Jinying Tong1, Yinsha Yi, Pengrong Cao
1Medical College of Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410006, Hunan, China.
Summary
Human carboxylesterase 1 (HCE1) is a key liver enzyme involved in metabolizing drugs, toxins, and lipids. This review covers HCE1
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Hepatology
Context:
- Human carboxylesterase 1 (HCE1) is a crucial serine hydrolase enzyme predominantly expressed in the liver.
- HCE1 plays a significant role in the metabolism of xenobiotics, including drugs and toxins.
- The enzyme is also integral to endogenous lipid metabolism, affecting cholesterol ester and free fatty acid processing.
Purpose:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements concerning human carboxylesterase 1 (HCE1).
- To elucidate the molecular structure and functional roles of HCE1 in various metabolic pathways.
- To discuss the implications of HCE1 in the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Summary:
- This review details the molecular structure of human carboxylesterase 1 (HCE1) and its functions in metabolizing xenobiotics and lipids.
- It explores HCE1's involvement in cholesterol ester and free fatty acid metabolism.
- The review also highlights HCE1's association with hepatocellular carcinoma development and potential for early diagnosis.
Impact:
- Understanding HCE1's structure and function can inform drug development and personalized medicine approaches.
- Insights into HCE1's role in lipid metabolism may offer new therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.
- Investigating HCE1 in hepatocellular carcinoma could lead to improved diagnostic markers and treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Carboxylic 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.
01:13Esters 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...
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...
01:20Carboxylic 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.
01:25Esters 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...
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
01:28Structures of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Structure of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...
01:22Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function
Cholinesterases are a group of serine hydrolase enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of choline esters. The two primary types of cholinesterases are acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChEs), which differ in their distribution, function, and substrate specificity. AChEs, also known as true cholinesterases, specifically hydrolyze acetylcholine, while BuChEs, often referred to as pseudocholinesterases, can hydrolyze various choline esters, including...