Gluconolactonase

The enzyme gluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.17) catalyzes the reaction


 * D -glucono-1,5-lactone + H2O $$\rightleftharpoons$$ D -gluconate

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is  D -glucono-1,5-lactone lactonohydrolase. Other names in common use include lactonase, aldonolactonase, glucono-δ-lactonase, and gulonolactonase. This enzyme participates in three metabolic pathways: pentose phosphate pathway, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and caprolactam degradation.