pectinesterase Biochem.
(pɛktɪˈnɛstəreɪz, -s)
Also pectin esterase.
[f. pectin + esterase.]
An enzyme found in plants and in certain bacteria and fungi, which hydrolyses pectin to pectic acid and methanol; = pectase, pectinmethylesterase.
| 1945 Lineweaver & Ballou in Arch. Biochem. VI. 373 The enzyme that acts on pectin and causes gelation in the presence of calcium has been known as pectase... Since the enzyme hydrolyzes the ester bonds in pectin we propose the name pectinesterase, which indicates the esterase character of the enzyme. 1956 New Biol. XX. 96 It was concluded that the enzyme pectinesterase was responsible, at least in part, for the development of disease symptoms [in the tomato shoots]. 1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. IX. 609/1 With the enzyme, pectin esterase, obtained from such sources as roots, leaves, and fruits of all higher plants and also from a number of microorganisms, the ester groups are quickly removed. 1975 Biochim. & Biophys. Acta CCCLXXVII. 408 The ability of B. cinerea polygalacturonase to degrade pectin N.F. was connected with the presence of pectinesterase in the preparation. |