degradative enzyme

A degradative enzyme is an enzyme (in a broader sense a protein) which degrades biological molecules. Some examples of degradative enzymes:

• Lipase, which digests lipids,{{cite journal |author=Svendsen A |title=Lipase protein engineering |journal=Biochim Biophys Acta |volume=1543 |issue=2 |pages=223–228 |year=2000 |pmid=11150608 |doi=10.1016/S0167-4838(00)00239-9}}
• Carbohydrases, which digest carbohydrates (e.g., sugars),{{cite journal |journal=Science |year=1957 |volume=125 |issue=3236 |pages=12–15 |doi=10.1126/science.125.3236.12 |pmid=13390960 |title=Mechanism of Carbohydrase Action |last1=Jermyn |first1=M. A. |bibcode=1957Sci...125...12J |s2cid=45702245 }}
• Proteases, which digest proteins,Barrett A.J., Rawlings ND, Woessner JF. The Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes, 2nd ed. Academic Press, 2003. {{ISBN|0-12-079610-4}}.Hedstrom L. Serine Protease Mechanism and Specificity. Chem Rev 2002;102:4501-4523.
• Nucleases, which digest nucleic acids.
• Cathelicidins, antimicrobial polypeptides found in lysosomes.