1,4-lactonase

The enzyme 1,4-lactonase (EC 3.1.1.25) catalyzes the generic reaction


 * a 1,4-lactone + H2O $$\rightleftharpoons$$ a 4-hydroxyacid

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is 1,4-lactone hydroxyacylhydrolase. It is also called γ-lactonase. It participates in galactose metabolism and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. It employs one cofactor, Ca2+.

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

Applications
In a study by Chen et al. a 1,4-lactonase was expressed in E. coli and used as a highly efficient biocatalyst for asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds.