Jack bean urease: the first nickel enzyme

Abstract

The article defines the development of our present understanding of the urease molecule. It describes physical and chemical properties of the enzyme, the interaction of inhibitors with the active site Ni(II) ion(s), substrate specificity and differential effects of pH on catalytic efficiency. A mechanism consistent with these data is presented. In addition, a simple model is described in which Ni(II) ion promotes nucleophilic attack of ethanol and water on a urea