InterPro domain: IPR006680

Proteins containing this domain are enzymes from a large metal dependent hydrolase superfamily [ 1 ]. The family includes adenine deaminase ( 3.5.4.2 ) that hydrolyses adenine to form hypoxanthine and ammonia. This reaction is important for adenine utilisation as a purine and also as a nitrogen source [ 2 ]. The family also includes dihydroorotase and N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate deacetylases ( 3.5.1.25 ). The domain is also found in the urease alpha subunit, where it is the catalytic domain [ 3 ].

1. An evolutionary treasure: unification of a broad set of amidohydrolases related to urease. Proteins 28, 72-82
2. Role of adenine deaminase in purine salvage and nitrogen metabolism and characterization of the ade gene in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 178, 846-53
3. The crystal structure of urease from Klebsiella aerogenes. Science 268, 998-1004