Wax-ester hydrolase explained

wax-ester hydrolase
Ec Number:	3.1.1.50
Cas Number:	66625-78-3
Go Code:	0050398

The enzyme wax-ester hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.50) catalyzes the reaction

a wax ester + H₂O

\rightleftharpoons a long-chain alcohol + a long-chain carboxylate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are wax ester and H₂O, whereas its two products are long-chain alcohol and long-chain carboxylate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is wax-ester acylhydrolase. Other names in common use include jojoba wax esterase, and WEH.

References

• Huang AH, Moreau RA, Liu KD . 1978 . Development and properties of a wax ester hydrolase in the cotyledons of jojoba seedlings . Plant Physiol. . 61 . 339 - 341 . 10.1104/pp.61.3.339 . 16660288 . 3 . 1091863.
• Book: Moreau RA . Huang AHC . Enzymes of wax ester catabolism in jojoba . 1981 . Lipids Part C. 71 . 804 - 813 . 10.1016/0076-6879(81)71095-4 . Methods in Enzymology . 978-0-12-181971-2 .