Description
Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6; 2H2O2 oxidoreductase) is an ubiquitous antioxidant enzyme that is present in most aerobic cells. Catalase (CAT) is involved in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a toxic product of both normal aerobic metabolism and pathogenic ROS production. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of two molecules of H2O2 to molecular oxygen and two molecules of water (catalytic activity). CAT also demonstrates peroxidatic activity, in which low molecular weightalcohols can serve as electron donors. While aliphatic alcohols serve as specific substrates for CAT, other enzymes with peroxidatic activity do not utilize these substrates.In humans, the highest levels of CAT are found in liver, kidney, and erythrocytes, where it is believed to account for the majority of H2O2 decomposition