What is "formamidase"

n. (context enzyme English) An enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of formylkynurenine to kynurenine and formate during the metabolism of tryptophan

In enzymology, a formamidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

formamide + HO $\rightleftharpoons$ formate + NH

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are formamide and HO, whereas its two products are formate and NH.

This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, those acting on carbon-nitrogen bonds other than peptide bonds, specifically in linear amides. The systematic name of this enzyme class is formamide amidohydrolase. This enzyme participates in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and nitrogen metabolism.