Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The reaction occurs as follows:
(NH2)2CO + 3H2O → CO2 + 2NH4OHIn 1926 James Sumner shows that urease is a protein. Urease is found in bacteria, yeast and several higher plants.
Characteristics:
- Molecular weight : 480 kDa
- Optimum pH : 7.4
- Enzymatic specificity : urea and hydroxyurea
- Inhibitors : heavy metals, sodium, potassium