Reaction: [(R)-3-hydroxybutanoate]n + H2O = [(R)-3-hydroxybutanoate]n-x + [(R)-3-hydroxybutanoate]x; x = 1-5
Other name(s): PHB depolymerase; poly(3HB) depolymerase; poly[(R)-hydroxyalkanoic acid] depolymerase; poly(HA) depolymerase; poly(HASCL) depolymerase; poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] hydrolase
Systematic name: poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoate] hydrolase
Comments: Reaction also occurs with esters of other short-chain-length (C1-C5) hydroxyalkanoic acids (HA). There are two types of polymers: native (intracellular) granules are amorphous and have an intact surface layer; denatured (extracellular) granules either have no surface layer or a damaged surface layer and are partially crystalline.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 9014-11-3
References:
1. Jendrossek, D. Microbial degradation of polyesters. Adv. Biochem. Eng./Biotechnol. 71 (2001) 293-325. [PMID: 11217416]
2. García, B., Olivera, E.R., Miñambres, B., Fernández-Valverde, Cañedo, L.M., Prieto, M.A., García, J.L., Martínez, M. and Luengo, J.M. Novel biodegradable aromatic plastics from a bacterial source. Genetic and biochemical studies on a route of the phenylacetyl-CoA catabolon. J. Biol. Chem. 274 (1999) 29228-29241. [PMID: 10506180]