What is "tryptophanase"

n. (context enzyme English) A lyase enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction ''L-tryptophan + H₂O $rightleftharpoons$ indole + pyruvate + NH₃''.

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

L-tryptophan + HO $\rightleftharpoons$ indole + pyruvate + NH

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are L-tryptophan and HO, whereas its 3 products are indole, pyruvate, and NH.

This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically in the "catch-all" class of carbon-carbon lyases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-tryptophan indole-lyase (deaminating; pyruvate-forming). Other names in common use include L-tryptophanase, and L-tryptophan indole-lyase (deaminating). This enzyme participates in tryptophan metabolism and nitrogen metabolism. It has 2 cofactors: pyridoxal phosphate, and Potassium.