EC |
3.1.1.14 |
Accepted name: |
chlorophyllase |
Reaction: |
chlorophyll + H2O = phytol + chlorophyllide |
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For diagram of chlorophyll catabolism, click here |
Other name(s): |
CLH; Chlase |
Systematic name: |
chlorophyll chlorophyllidohydrolase |
Comments: |
Chlorophyllase has been found in higher plants, diatoms, and in the green algae Chlorella [3]. This enzyme forms part of the chlorophyll degradation pathway and is thought to take part in de-greening processes such as fruit ripening, leaf senescence and flowering, as well as in the turnover and homeostasis of chlorophyll [4]. This enzyme acts preferentially on chlorophyll a but will also accept chlorophyll b and pheophytins as substrates [5]. Ethylene and methyl jasmonate, which are known to accelerate senescence in many species, can enhance the activity of the hormone-inducible form of this enzyme [5]. |
Links to other databases: |
BRENDA, EXPASY, Gene, KEGG, MetaCyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 9025-96-1 |
References: |
1. |
Holden, M. The breakdown of chlorophyll by chlorophyllase. Biochem. J. 78 (1961) 359–364. [PMID: 13715233] |
2. |
Klein, A.O. and Vishniac, W. Activity and partial purification of chlorophyllase in aqueous systems. J. Biol. Chem. 236 (1961) 2544–2547. [PMID: 13756631] |
3. |
Tsuchiya, T., Ohta, H., Okawa, K., Iwamatsu, A., Shimada, H., Masuda, T. and Takamiya, K. Cloning of chlorophyllase, the key enzyme in chlorophyll degradation: finding of a lipase motif and the induction by methyl jasmonate. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96 (1999) 15362–15367. [DOI] [PMID: 10611389] |
4. |
Okazawa, A., Tango, L., Itoh, Y., Fukusaki, E. and Kobayashi, A. Characterization and subcellular localization of chlorophyllase from Ginkgo biloba. Z. Naturforsch. [C] 61 (2006) 111–117. [PMID: 16610227] |
5. |
Hörtensteiner, S. Chlorophyll degradation during senescence. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 57 (2006) 55–77. [DOI] [PMID: 16669755] |
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[EC 3.1.1.14 created 1961, modified 2007] |
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