Carboxylesterase 5A (CES5A)

Carboxylesterase 5A (CES5A) is an enzyme from the carboxylesterase superfamily that catalyzes the hydrolysis or transesterification of a wide variety of esters, including drugs, xenobiotics, and endogenous lipid substrates[1][3]. CES5A is encoded by the CES5A gene on human chromosome 16 and is structurally similar to other carboxylesterases but is distinguished by its secretion into body fluids such as urine and male reproductive fluids, and by several isoforms resulting from alternative splicing[1][3]. Its physiological roles include detoxification of foreign compounds, regulation of pheromonal activity (notably in some non-human mammals), lipid metabolism, and possibly neuroprotection from xenobiotics[1]. Unlike more widely studied family members CES1 and CES2, CES5A’s detailed substrate specificity and involvement in clinically significant drug metabolism are still being investigated.

Other names

Carboxylesterase 5ACES5ACES7cauxinFLJ31547CES4C1CES5carboxylesterase-like urinary excreted protein homologepididymis luminal protein 126HEL126

Catalyzes hydrolysis and transesterification of carboxylesters, thioesters, and aromatic amides Detoxifies and metabolizes some xenobiotics (including certain narcotics and clinical drugs) May activate or inactivate prodrugs as part of drug metabolism pathways