Degradative enzyme explained

A degradative enzyme is an enzyme (in a broader sense a protein) which degrades biological molecules. Some examples of degradative enzymes:

• Lipase, which digests lipids,^[1]
• Carbohydrases, which digest carbohydrates (e.g., sugars),^[2]
• Proteases, which digest proteins,^{[3] [4]}
• Nucleases, which digest nucleic acids.
• Cathelicidins, antimicrobial polypeptides found in lysosomes.

See also

• Hydrolase

Notes and References

1. Svendsen A . Lipase protein engineering . Biochim Biophys Acta . 1543 . 2 . 223–228 . 2000 . 11150608 . 10.1016/S0167-4838(00)00239-9.
2. Science . 1957 . 125 . 3236 . 12–15 . 10.1126/science.125.3236.12 . 13390960 . Mechanism of Carbohydrase Action . Jermyn . M. A. . 1957Sci...125...12J . 45702245 .
3. Barrett A.J., Rawlings ND, Woessner JF. The Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes, 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2003. .
4. Hedstrom L. Serine Protease Mechanism and Specificity. Chem Rev 2002;102:4501-4523.