Reaction: 4-aminoimidazole + H2O = imidazol-4-one + NH3
Other name(s): 4-aminoimidazole hydrolase
Systematic name: 4-aminoimidazole aminohydrolase
Comments: Requires Fe2+. This enzyme forms part of the xanthine-degradation pathway in some bacteria. The product of the reaction, imidazol-4-one, can be converted non-enzymically into formiminoglycine. An enzyme has been identified in Clostridium cylindrosporum that can perform this hydrolysis reaction [2,3].
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, CAS registry number: 9025-17-6
References:
1. Rabinowitz, J.C. and Pricer, W.E. Purine fermentation by Clostridium cylindrosporum. V. Formiminoglycine. J. Biol. Chem. 222 (1956) 537-554. [PMID: 13367024]
2. Freter, K., Rabinowitz, J.C. and Witkop, B. Labile Stoffwechselprodukte. V. Zur Biogenese des Formiminoglycins aus 4(5H)-imidazolon. Ann. Chem. 607 (1957) 174-187.
3. Vogels, G.D. and Van der Drift, C. Degradation of purines and pyrimidines by microorganisms. Bacteriol. Rev. 40 (1976) 403-468. [PMID: 786256]
4. DeMoll, E. and Auffenberg, T. Purine metabolism in Methanococcus vannielii. J. Bacteriol. 175 (1993) 5754-5761. [PMID: 8376322]