Main description:

Ureases: Functions, Classes, and Applications provides a practical analysis of ureases-enzymes of growing relevance across a range of biotechnological applications and drug discovery. The book discusses historical urease research and current states, from basic biochemistry to ureases as hallmarks in enzymology, crystallography and bioinorganic chemistry. The different classes of ureases, structurally diverse but chemically equivalent, are individually discussed as is the multi-protein, multi-step activation of ureases (with chemical modification of residues, transport and transfer of nickel ions). Final sections address multiple applications of ureases in health and biotechnology, respectively, going from gastric ulcer treatment to architectural uses in buildings and engineering.

Unique in many aspects, ureases are one of the few enzymes to have nickel in their active sites. Ureases covers all aspects of this enzymatic class.

Contents:

Part I. Introduction
1. Ureases: an overview

Part II. Historical aspects
2. Historical hallmarks in urease study
3. Plant urease genetics: A personal recollection

Part III: Classes and special cases
4. Microbial tri-chain ureases
5. Microbial di-chain ureases
6. Plant ureases
7. Jack bean urease
8. Fungi ureases
9. Structural biology of ureases

Part IV. Activation, catalysis, inhibition
10. Urease accessory proteins and enzyme activation
11. Catalysis mechanisms in ureases
12. Inhibition of ureases: studies and applications
13. Non-catalytic activities in ureases Part V. Health applications
14. Ureases as drug targets in stomach ulcers and cancer
15. Ureases as drug targets in urinary tract infections
Chapter 16. Ureases as drug targets in fungal infections

Part V. Biotechnological applications
17. Ureases and crop yield enhancement
18. Ureases as pesticides
19. Ureases and water purification
20. Ureases for structural and architectural applications
21. Ureases in the beverage industry
22. Ureases as biosensors
23. Immobilized ureases and their applications