Formimidoylglutamase Explained

formimidoylglutamase
Ec Number:	3.5.3.8
Cas Number:	9054-92-6
Go Code:	0050415

In enzymology, a formimidoylglutamase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

N-formimidoyl-L-glutamate + H₂O

\rightleftharpoons L-glutamate + formamide

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are N-formimidoyl-L-glutamate and H₂O, whereas its two products are L-glutamate and formamide.

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, those acting on carbon-nitrogen bonds other than peptide bonds, specifically in linear amidines. The systematic name of this enzyme class is N-formimidoyl-L-glutamate formimidoylhydrolase. Other names in common use include formiminoglutamase, N-formiminoglutamate hydrolase, and N-formimino-L-glutamate formiminohydrolase. This enzyme participates in histidine metabolism.

Structural studies

As of late 2007, two structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes and .

References

• Kaminskas E, Kimhi Y, Magasanik B . 1970 . Urocanase and N-formimino-L-glutamate formiminohydrolase of Bacillus subtilis, two enzymes of the histidine degradation pathway . J. Biol. Chem. . 245 . 3536 - 44 . 4990470 . 14 .
• Lund P, Magasanik B . 1965 . N-formimino-L-glutamate formiminohydrolase of Aerobacter aerogenes . J. Biol. Chem. . 240 . 4316 - 9 . 5845833 . 11 .