Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Hydrolysis of a Ni-Schiff-Base Complex Using Conditions Suitable for Retention of Acid-labile Protecting Groups
Published on: April 6, 2017
Characterization of esterases involved in the hydrolysis of dipivefrin hydrochloride
M Nakamura1, E Shirasawa, M Hikida
1Central Research Laboratories, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
Abstract:
We characterized the interaction of the prodrug dipivefrin hydrochloride (DPE) with esterase activity in the rabbit cornea. The esterases which were identified included: (1) cholinesterase, (2) acetylcholinesterase, (3) a mixture containing carboxylesterase, acetylesterase and arylesterase, and (4) a non-specific esterase. DPE suppressed all of their activities as well as that of the mixture containing carboxylesterase, acetylesterase and arylesterase, and a nonspecific esterase. However, its effect on cholinesterase was larger than on any of the other activities, suggesting that DPE is a better substrate for cholinesterase than for any of the other esterases. These measurements along with those of substrate-dependent inhibition of 14C-DPE hydrolysis indicated that the DPE-esterase interaction was competitive based on changes in the apparent Km values which were extracted from Lineweaver-Burk plots of esterase activity. The substrate for cholinesterase competed with DPE most strongly among substrates. These results seem to suggest that DPE is hydrolyzed by various corneal esterases, mainly cholinesterase.
Related Concept Videos
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview
Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
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...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism
Phase I Reactions: Hydrolytic Reactions
An important hydrolytic reaction is ester hydrolysis. Ester bonds, often found in prodrugs, are broken down, increasing the solubility of drugs like aspirin and lidocaine for more straightforward elimination. Amide hydrolysis is another critical reaction, targeting amide bonds prevalent...

