title: Enzymes involved in the bioconversion of ester-based prodrugs.
abstract: Enzymes are essential for the activation of many prodrugs. In this review, the most important enzymes (e.g., paraoxonase, carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase, cholinesterase) involved in the bioconversion of ester-based prodrugs will be discussed in terms of their biology and biochemistry. Most of these enzymes fall into the category of hydrolytic enzymes. However, nonhydrolytic enzymes, including cytochrome P450s, can also catalyze the bioconversion of ester prodrugs and thus will be discussed here. Other factors influencing the ability of these enzymes to catalyze the bioconversion of ester-based prodrugs, particularly species and interindividual differences and stereochemical and structural features of the prodrugs, will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, 2095 Constant Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
authors.forename: Bianca M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Liederer
authors.forename: Ronald T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Borchardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004950:Esterases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004952:Esters; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D004952:Esters; D011355:Prodrugs; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D006867:Hydrolases; D004950:Esterases