Urease

Urease is an enzyme of the hydrolase class. Urease catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. This enzyme is widely distributed among microorganisms, plants and animals.

Urease plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism. With the help of this enzyme, microorganisms can use urea as a source of nitrogen. Urease is also involved in metabolic processes in the kidneys of mammals.

In humans and animals, excessive urease activity can lead to increased levels of ammonia in the blood and the development of ammonia intoxication.

Urease inhibitors are used to treat infectious diseases caused by urease-positive microorganisms, in particular for the treatment of gastric ulcer associated with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.