Title: Urease
CAS Registry Number: 9002-13-5
Synonyms: Urea amidohydrolase
Literature References: Nickel-dependent metalloenzyme which hydrolyzes urea to ammonium carbonate. First enzyme crytallized; mol wt approx 489,000 Da. Isolation from jack bean,
Canavalia ensiformis and crystallization: J. B. Sumner,
J. Biol. Chem. 69, 435 (1926). Early structure-activity studies: G. Gorin
et al., Biochemistry 1, 911 (1962); C. J. Bailey, D. Boulter,
Biochem. J. 113, 669 (1969). Identification as nickel containing: N. E. Dixon
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 97, 4131 (1975). Crystal structure: E. Jabri
et al., Science 268, 998 (1995).
Review: J. E. Varner, "Urease" in
The Enzymes vol. 4, P. D. Boyer
et al., Eds. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1960) pp 247-256; F. J. Reithel,
ibid. vol. 4 (3rd ed., 1971) pp 1-21.
Properties: Colorless, octahedral crystals. Soluble in water, in dil alkali and dil ammonia. uv max: 278.5 nm. Isoelectric point pH 5.0-5.1; also reported as pH 4.8 (Reithel).
Absorption maximum: uv max: 278.5 nm
Use: Clinical reagent in determination of urea in body fluid.
