Ask Difference

Hydrolase vs. Hydratase — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 11, 2024
Hydrolase enzymes catalyze the cleavage of bonds with water addition, whereas hydratase enzymes specifically add water to double bonds without breaking them.
Hydrolase vs. Hydratase — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Hydrolase and Hydratase

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

Hydrolases are a broad class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of various chemical bonds, including ester, glycosidic, peptide, and other bonds, using water. This process often results in the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, facilitating various biological functions such as digestion and metabolism. On the other hand, hydratases, also known as hydro-lyases, specifically catalyze the addition of water to double bonds in a substrate without breaking the substrate into two parts. This action typically involves the conversion of one molecule into another, often playing a crucial role in metabolic pathways like the citric acid cycle.
Hydrolases are involved in critical biological processes across all forms of life, from bacteria to humans, showcasing their versatility in biochemistry. They are essential for recycling cellular components, degrading food into absorbable nutrients, and regulating biomolecules. Whereas hydratases have a more specialized function, mainly involved in specific metabolic pathways, such as the hydration of fumarate to malate in the citric acid cycle or the conversion of 2-acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA in fatty acid synthesis, indicating their specialized roles in metabolism.
The activity of hydrolases is fundamental in various industrial and biotechnological applications, including waste treatment, the food industry, and pharmaceuticals, where they are used to synthesize or degrade complex biomolecules. Hydratases, while less widely applied industrially, are crucial in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals and chemicals, illustrating their importance in both natural and engineered chemical processes.
Hydrolases can be highly specific to their substrates or exhibit broad specificity, allowing them to act on a wide range of substrates. This diversity makes them indispensable in biological systems for maintaining cellular homeostasis. In contrast, hydratases typically exhibit high specificity towards their substrates, catalyzing hydration reactions in particular substrates within specific metabolic pathways, reflecting their tailored roles in cellular processes.
Understanding the mechanisms and functions of hydrolases and hydratases is vital for advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology. The study of hydrolases has led to significant developments in drug design and the treatment of diseases where these enzymes are involved. Meanwhile, hydratases are studied for their role in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, aiming to produce novel compounds or improve metabolic efficiencies.
ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Function

Catalyzes the hydrolysis of chemical bonds using water
Adds water to double bonds without cleaving the substrate

Substrate Specificity

Broad or specific, depending on the enzyme
Typically very specific to certain substrates

Biological Role

Involved in digestion, metabolism, and cellular recycling
Primarily involved in specific metabolic pathways

Industrial Application

Wide applications in pharmaceuticals, food industry, and waste treatment
Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and certain chemicals

Example Reactions

Breakdown of peptides, fats, and polysaccharides
Conversion of fumarate to malate in the citric acid cycle

Compare with Definitions

Hydrolase

These enzymes are crucial in waste recycling within cells.
Proteases degrade misfolded proteins.

Hydratase

Hydratases play a role in fatty acid metabolism.
Enol-CoA hydratase facilitates the hydration of enoyl-CoA.

Hydrolase

Hydrolases are involved in DNA repair mechanisms by cleaving phosphodiester bonds.
DNAse cuts DNA strands during apoptosis.

Hydratase

Hydratases are enzymes that catalyze the addition of water to double bonds.
Fumarase converts fumarate to malate in the citric acid cycle.

Hydrolase

Hydrolases are enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of chemical bonds using water.
Amylase breaks down starch into simpler sugars.

Hydratase

These enzymes are crucial for the biosynthesis of certain compounds.
Hydratases participate in the synthesis of terpenes.

Hydrolase

They play a key role in the digestion process by breaking down complex food molecules.
Lipases help digest fats by breaking down triglycerides.

Hydratase

Hydratases can influence the production of secondary metabolites.
They are involved in the biosynthesis of antibiotics.

Hydrolase

Hydrolases contribute to the regulation of molecular signaling pathways.
Phosphatases remove phosphate groups from proteins.

Hydratase

They are involved in specific steps of metabolic pathways.
Aconitase hydrates citrate to isocitrate.

Hydrolase

Hydrolase is a class of enzyme that commonly perform as biochemical catalysts that use water to break a chemical bond, which typically results in dividing a larger molecule into smaller molecules. Some common examples of hydrolase enzymes are esterases including lipases, phosphatases, glycosidases, peptidases, and nucleosidases.

Hydratase

An enzyme that removes water from a substrate.

Hydrolase

An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of a particular substrate.

Hydratase

(enzyme) Any enzyme that catalyzes the addition or removal of the elements of water; a hydrase

Hydrolase

Any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of a chemical bond.

Hydrolase

(enzyme) An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of a substrate.

Hydrolase

An enzyme which causes the splitting of a chemical bond with the addition of the elements of water; a hydrolytic enzyme. Formerly called a hydrolytic ferment.

Common Curiosities

What is the main difference between a hydrolase and a hydratase?

Hydrolases catalyze the cleavage of chemical bonds using water, while hydratases add water to double bonds without cleaving the substrate.

Can hydratases be used in industrial processes?

While less common, hydratases are used in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Can hydrolases act on any type of chemical bond?

Hydrolases can act on various chemical bonds, including ester, glycosidic, peptide, and others, depending on the enzyme's specificity.

Are hydratases involved in energy production?

Yes, hydratases are involved in energy production by participating in metabolic pathways like the citric acid cycle.

How do hydrolases contribute to digestion?

Hydrolases break down complex food molecules like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into simpler molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Can hydrolase activity be regulated?

Yes, the activity of hydrolases can be regulated by various cellular mechanisms, including allosteric modulation and phosphorylation.

What role do hydratases play in fatty acid metabolism?

Hydratases facilitate reactions in fatty acid metabolism, such as the hydration of enoyl-CoA, a step in fatty acid synthesis.

Are all hydrolases enzyme specific?

Some hydrolases have broad substrate specificity, while others are highly specific to their substrates.

What is an example of a hydrolase enzyme?

Lipase is an example of a hydrolase that breaks down fats into glycerol and fatty acids.

What is an example of a hydratase enzyme?

Fumarase, which converts fumarate to malate in the citric acid cycle, is an example of a hydratase.

Can hydrolases be found in all types of living organisms?

Yes, hydrolases are ubiquitous and play essential roles in the biochemistry of all living organisms.

How do hydratases contribute to the citric acid cycle?

Hydratases, like fumarase and aconitase, contribute to the citric acid cycle by catalyzing hydration reactions essential for energy production.

Do hydratases only work on specific substrates?

Yes, hydratases typically exhibit high substrate specificity, acting on particular substrates within specific metabolic pathways.

How do hydrolases affect pharmaceutical development?

Hydrolases are targeted in drug design for their roles in disease processes, leading to the development of enzyme inhibitors or activators.

What is the significance of hydratases in synthetic biology?

Hydratases are explored in synthetic biology for their potential to produce novel compounds or improve metabolic pathways.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Pub vs. Restaurant
Next Comparison
Apostate vs. Reprobate

Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms