ISOMERASE

In biochemistry, an 'isomerase' is a protein that catalyses the interconversion of polymers. Isomerases thus catalyze reactions of the form
:A → B

Contents

Nomenclature

Classification

References

Nomenclature

The names of isomerases are formed as "''substrate'' isomerase" (for example, enoyl CoA isomerase), or as "''substrate'' ''type of isomerase''" (for example, phosphoglucomutase).

Classification

Isomerases are classified as 'EC 5' in the EC number classification of enzymes. Isomerases can be further classified into six subclasses:

★ includes enzymes that catalyze racemization (racemases) and epimerization (epimerases)

★ includes enzymes that catalyze the isomerization of geometric isomers (cis-trans isomerases)

★ includes intramolecular oxidoreductases

★ includes intramolecular transferases (mutases)

★ includes intramolecular lyases

★ includes other isomerases (including topoisomerases)

References

★ EC 5 Introduction from the Department of Chemistry at Queen Mary, University of London