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AAT Bioquest

What is the fastest enzyme?

Posted May 19, 2023


Answer

Carbonic Anhydrase is the fastest enzyme. One molecule of carbonic anhydrase is capable of hydrating 106 CO2 molecules per second, which is about several times faster than most other reactions that occur in the absence of this enzyme. 

Carbonic Anhydrase is an enzyme found in pancreatic cells, red blood cells, and gastric mucosa to name a few. It is involved in catalyzing a reversible reaction between water and carbon dioxide, resulting in the generation of carbonic acid. It also plays a role in catalyzing the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach.

Additional resources

An α-carbonic anhydrase from the thermophilic bacterium Sulphurihydrogenibium azorense is the fastest enzyme known for the CO2 hydration reaction

Enzymes

Amplite® Universal Fluorimetric Protease Activity Assay Kit *Green Fluorescence*