Classification and naming of enzymes

There is a formal system of enzyme nomenclature, in which each enzyme has a number, and the various enzymes are classified according to the type of reaction catalysed and the substrates, products and coenzymes of the reaction. This is used in research publications, when there is a need to identify an enzyme unambiguously, but for general use there is a less formal system of naming enzymes. Almost all enzyme names end in -ase, and many are derived simply from the name of the substrate acted on, with the suffix -ase. In some cases, the type of reaction catalysed is also included. 

Oxidoreductases Dehydrogenases Oxidases Oxygenases Hydroxylases Peroxidases Oxidation and reduction reactions Addition or removal of H Two-electron transfer to Oj, forming H Oj Two-electron transfer to /cOj, forming H O Incorporate O into product Incorporate /cO into product as -OH and form H O Use as HjO as oxygen donor, forming H O 

Transferases Kinases Transfer a chemical group from one substrate to the other Transfer phosphate from ATP onto substrate 

Hydrolases Hydrolysis of C-O, C-N, O-P and C-S bonds (e.g, esterases, proteases, phosphatases, deamidases) 

Lyases Addition across a C-C double bond (e.g, dehydratases, hydratases, decarboxylases) 

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