cd00519

Lipase (class 3). Lipases are esterases that can hydrolyze long-chain acyl-triglycerides into di- and monoglycerides, glycerol, and free fatty acids at a water/lipid interface. A typical feature of lipases is "interfacial activation," the process of becoming active at the lipid/water interface, although several examples of lipases have been identified that do not undergo interfacial activation . The active site of a lipase contains a catalytic triad consisting of Ser - His - Asp/Glu, but unlike most serine proteases, the active site is buried inside the structure. A "lid" or "flap" covers the active site, making it inaccessible to solvent and substrates. The lid opens during the process of interfacial activation, allowing the lipid substrate access to the active site.