Carboxylesterase 3/CES3: Proteins and Enzymes

Carboxylesterase 3 is a member of a large family of carboxylesterases that are responsible for the hydrolysis of ester and amide bonds. These carboxylesterases are widely distributed in mammalian tissues and have broad substrate specificity ranging from small molecule esters such as phenylester to long-chain fatty acid esters and thioesters. Because many ester-containing drugs require the ester linkage to improve the bioavailability of therapeutic agents, CESs play a major role in drug metabolism and activation. CES3 is also known as triacylglycerol hydrolase for its lipolytic activity. It has been reported to be the major lipase in white adipose tissue. Mouse CES3 shares 93% homology with rat CES3.