Desmolases

Desmolases (from Greek desmos-connection and lysis-breaking), enzymes that participate in those metabolic processes which lead to the final breakdown of organic compounds, with fragmentation of the carbon skeleton of molecules by breaking bonds between carbon atoms (desmolysis). In contrast to hydrolysis (see), in which bonds -C:O- or -C-N- are broken without substantial changes in the energy reserve of the system, processes caused by desmolases and leading to the breaking of -C-C- bonds are accompanied by significant release of free energy. It is precisely the processes of desmolysis that are the source of energy for all manifestations of cellular life activity. Hence the importance of desmolases in the general economy of living tissue. In addition to enzymes that directly cause the breaking of carbon bonds, enzymes that prepare this breaking or act at subsequent stages are also classified as desmolases. Thus, the group of desmolases includes: oxidation-reduction enzymes (oxidoreductases, oxidases, peroxidases); enzymes of glycolysis and fermentation (zymase); carboxylase (removes CO₂ from the carboxyl of keto-acids); carboligase (causes the formation of bonds between carbon atoms in processes coupled with desmolysis); catalase (decomposes H₂O₂ formed during desmolysis).