Nomenclature Committee of the International Union

The responsibility for enzyme nomenclature is supported by the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry (IUB now the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IUBMB) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). These committees collect information about changes and additions to enzyme nomenclature13"15. 

Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry (1982) Eur. J. Biochem. 128, 281. 

The ENZYME nomenclature database, a repository of information based on the recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB), currently contains 4435 enzyme entries (Release 38.0, September 2005). Of these, 545 entries are superseded, resulting in a final list of 3,890 enzymes, 224 sub-subclasses, and 65 subclasses. 

Since its foundation in 1956 the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB) has continually revised and updated the list of enzymes. Entries for new enzymes have been added, others have been deleted completely, or transferred to another EC number in the original class or to different EC classes, catalyzing other types of chemical reactions. The old numbers have not been allotted to new enzymes instead the place has been left vacant or cross-references given to the changes in nomenclature. 

We have tried throughout this book to use the enzyme name most commonly used by working biochemists and to point out cases in which an enzyme has more than one widely used name. For current information on enzyme nomenclature, refer to the recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (www.chem.qmw.ac.uk/iubmb/nomenclature/). 

The complex nature and interconnectivity of plant cell wall polymers preclude straightforward enzymatic digestion. There are dozens of enzyme families involved in plant cell wall hydrolysis, including cellulases, hemicellu-lases, pectinases, and lignin-modifying enzymes. The Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) has classified cellulases and hemicellulases, like all enzymes, into different classes based on activity. Table 33.2 and Table 33.3, compiled from the IUBMB enzyme nomenclature database (http //www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/ enzyme/), list the IUBMB enzyme classifications for cellulases and hemicellulases.153... 

During natural evolution, a broad variety of enzymes has been developed, which are classified according to the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). Thus, for each type of characterized enzyme an EC (Enzyme Commission) number has been provided (see http // www.expasy.ch/enzyme/). For instance, all hydrolases have EC number 3 and further subdivisions are provided by three additional digits, e.g. all lipases (official name triacylglycerol lipases) have the EC number 3.1.1.3 and are thus distinguished from esterases (official name carboxyl esterases) having the EC number 3.1.1.1. This classification is based on the substrate (and cofactor) specificity of an enzyme only, however often very similar amino acid sequences and also related three-dimensional structures can be observed. 

This enzyme was formerly known as myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase. The recommendation for preferred nomenclature recently changed. Please refer to the website of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at http // www. chem.qmul. ac. uk/iubmb/enzyme/. 

Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB). Enzyme Nomenclature Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology on the Nomenclature and Classification of Enzyme-Catalysed Reactions. Published in Enzyme Nomenclature 1992 [Academic Press, San Diego, California, ISBN 0-12-227164-5 (hardback), 0-12-227165-3 (paperback)] with Supplement 1 (1993), Supplement 2 (1994), Supplement 3 (1995), Supplement 4 (1997), and Supplement 5 (in Eur.J. Biochem. 1994, 223, 1—5 Eur. J. Biochem. 1995, 232, 1—6 Eur.J. Biochem. 1996, 237, 1—5 Eur. J. Biochem. 1997, 250, 1—6, and Eur.J. Biochem. 1999, 264, 610—650, respectively) [Copyright lUBMB] and online at http //www.chem.qmuLac.uk/iubmb/enzyme/index.html). 

Webb, E. C. 1984. Enzyme nomenclature 1984 Recommendations of the nomenclature committee of the international union of biochemistry on the nomenclature and classification of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Orlando, FL Academic Press. 

International Union of Biochemistry, Nomenclature Committee, Enzyme Nomenclature 1984. Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry on the Nomenclature and Classification of Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions, Academic Press, Orlando, FT, 1984. 

Webb E C (ed) 1984 Enzyme Nomenclature. Recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry (Academic) p 646 Schornburg D and Salzmann M (ed) 1991 Enzyme Handbook (Berlin Springer) TUmer A P F, Karube I and Wilson G S (ed) 1987 Biosensors Fundamentals and Applications (Oxford Oxford University Press) p 770 Janata J, Josowicz M and DeVaney D M 1994 Chemical sensors Anal. Chem. 66 207R-28R... 

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