Purification and Characterization of an Esterase from Micrococcus sp. YGJ1 Hydrolyzing Phthalate Esters

An esterase hydrolyzing phthalate esters has been purified from Micrococcus sp. YGJ1. The enzyme, a monomeric protein (M_r=56 kDa) with a pI of 4.0, hydrolyzes various aliphatic and aromatic carboxylesters. The medium chain (C₃-C₄) esters are the most preferred substrates. The enzyme is inhibited by HgCl₂ and p-chloromercuribenzoate but not by phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride.