linamarase

Linamarase (EC 3.2.1.21) is a plant-derived $\beta$-glucosidase enzyme, notably found in cassava (*Manihot esculenta*), flax, and white clover, that plays a central role in cyanogenesis—the release of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from cyanogenic glycosides like linamarin. This enzymatic reaction is a natural defense mechanism in plants against herbivory. In a therapeutic context, linamarase is being researched for use in gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT), where the linamarase gene is delivered to tumor cells (e.g., glioblastoma) to locally convert the non-toxic prodrug linamarin into lethal cyanide, thereby inducing cell death. Beyond its potential as an antineoplastic agent, linamarase is utilized in food science for the detoxification of cassava products and as an analytical tool for quantifying cyanogenic compounds in food samples.

Other names

beta-glucosidasecyanogenic beta-glucosidaselinamarinase