Ureases I. Functional, catalytic and kinetic properties: A review

Ureases (urea amiclohydrolases, EC 3.5.1.5) are a group of highly proficient enzymes, widely distributed in nature, whose catalytic function is to catalyze the hydrolysis of urea, its final products being carbonic acid and ammonia. The products and the resulting increase in pH of the reaction environment are consequential characteristics of the action of ureases. Apart from its natural significance, ureases-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea is important in that it has great potential for practical applications. In view of this importance, this article offers a review of the properties of the enzymes, where in addition to the established knowledge,the recent findings are presented. Special emphasis is put on the functional and practical properties of ureases that can be customized and exploited in a diversity of important applications, notably medical, analytical, environmental and engineering. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.