Information on EC 3.1.6.1 - arylsulfatase (type I)

Sulfatase enzymes are classified as type I, in which the key catalytic residue is 3-oxo-L-alanine, type II, which are non-heme iron-dependent dioxygenases, or type III, whose catalytic domain adopts a metallo-beta-lactamase fold and binds two zinc ions as cofactors. Arylsulfatases are type I enzymes, found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, with rather similar specificities. The key catalytic residue 3-oxo-L-alanine initiates the reaction through a nucleophilic attack on the sulfur atom in the substrate. This residue is generated by posttranslational modification of a conserved cysteine or serine residue by EC 1.8.3.7, formylglycine-generating enzyme, EC 1.1.98.7, serine-type anaerobic sulfatase-maturating enzyme, or EC 1.8.98.7, cysteine-type anaerobic sulfatase-maturating enzyme.