Name:Lipase

Synonyms: Triacylglycerollipaza

CAS Registry Number: 9001-62-1

EINECS: 232-619-9

 

A lipase is a water-soluble enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bonds in water¨Cinsoluble, lipid substrates. Lipases thus comprise a subclass of the esterases.

Lipases perform essential roles in the digestion, transport and processing of dietary lipids such as triglycerides, fats, oils in most, if not all, living organisms. Genes encoding lipases are even present in certain viruses.

Most lipases act at a specific position on the glycerol backbone of lipid substrate (A1, A2 or A3). For example, human pancreatic lipase (HPL), which is the main enzyme to break down fats in the human digestive system, converts triglyceride substrates found in ingested oil to monoglycerides and free fatty acids.

Lipases including phospholipases and sphingomyelinases act in a variety of ways

 

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