An enzyme that catalyzes the removal of water from a compound; most such enzymes are now known as hydrases, hydro-lyases, or dehydratases.
- carbonic a. a zinc-containing enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of CO2 with HCO3− and H+. There are at least seven human isozymes that appear predominantly in red blood cells, secretory tissues, muscle, etc. A deficiency of carbonic a. II can result in osteopetrosis and metabolic acidosis. The inhibition of carbonic a. IV and possibly carbonic a. II by sulfonamides is a current therapy in the treatment of glaucoma. SYN: carbonate dehydratase, carbonate hydro- lyase.
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an·hy·drase an-'hī-.drās, -.drāz n an enzyme (as carbonic anhydrase) promoting a specific dehydration reaction and the reverse hydration reaction
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n.
an enzyme that catalyses the removal of water from a compound.
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an·hy·drase (an-hiґdrās) an older, common term used in naming some enzymes of the hydro-lyase (q.v.) sub-subclass.Medical dictionary. 2011.