enzymology Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...

, a valine decarboxylase () is an enzyme that

catalyzes Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...

the chemical reaction :L-valine

\rightleftharpoons

2-methylpropanamine + CO₂ Hence, this enzyme has one

substrate Substrate may refer to: Physical layers *Substrate (biology), the natural environment in which an organism lives, or the surface or medium on which an organism grows or is attached ** Substrate (locomotion), the surface over which an organism lo ...

L-valine Valine (symbol Val or V) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α- amino group (which is in the protonated −NH3+ form under biological conditions), an α- carboxylic acid group (which is in the deprotona ...

, and two products, 2-methylpropanamine and CO₂. This enzyme belongs to the family of

lyase In biochemistry, a lyase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breaking (an elimination reaction) of various chemical bonds by means other than hydrolysis (a substitution reaction) and oxidation, often forming a new double bond or a new ring structure. ...

s, specifically the carboxy-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-valine carboxy-lyase (2-methylpropanamine-forming). Other names in common use include leucine decarboxylase and L-valine carboxy-lyase. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.

References

* EC 4.1.1 Pyridoxal phosphate enzymes Enzymes of unknown structure {{4.1-enzyme-stub