Hydrolase belonging to the Amidases. Metallo-enzyme. Urease hydrolasis urea, resulting in ammonia and carbon dioxide, or in ammonia- and carbonate ions, respectively.Using high amounts of urea as substrate (200 mM), urease is applied for visualisation of the connection between reaction rate and time. Detection is carried out via measurement of conductivity, or, photometrically, via colour change of bromothymol blue. Furthermore, model system for catalytic activation of carbon dioxide in metallo-organic chemistry.

pH optimum: 7.4. Recommended reaction buffer system is 40 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Heavy metals (e. g. lead) are inhibitory.

1 Unit enzyme hydrolyses 1 µmol urea per minute at 25 °C (pH 8.0).