Catalase (CAT) Protein

This gene encodes catalase, a key antioxidant enzyme in the bodies defense against oxidative stress. Catalase is a heme enzyme that is present in the peroxisome of nearly all aerobic cells. Catalase converts the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen and thereby mitigates the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide. Oxidative stress is hypothesized to play a role in the development of many chronic or late-onset diseases such as diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancers. Polymorphisms in this gene have been associated with decreases in catalase activity but, to date, acatalasemia is the only disease known to be caused by this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]

Catalase: Occurs in almost all aerobically respiring organisms and serves to protect cells from the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide. Promotes growth of cells including T-cells, B-cells, myeloid leukemia cells, melanoma cells, mastocytoma cells and normal and transformed fibroblast cells. Homotetramer. Belongs to the catalase family.

Protein type: Amino Acid Metabolism - tryptophan; Mitochondrial; Oxidoreductase; EC 1.11.1.6; Apoptosis; Energy Metabolism - methane; Endoplasmic reticulum; Hydrolase

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 11p13

Cellular Component: Golgi apparatus; peroxisomal membrane; peroxisomal matrix; focal adhesion; membrane; intracellular membrane-bound organelle; lysosome; endoplasmic reticulum; plasma membrane; mitochondrial intermembrane space; peroxisome; cytosol

Molecular Function: antioxidant activity; oxidoreductase activity, acting on peroxide as acceptor; enzyme binding; protein homodimerization activity; catalase activity; metal ion binding; heme binding; NADP binding; receptor binding; aminoacylase activity

Biological Process: cholesterol metabolic process; hemoglobin metabolic process; nucleobase, nucleoside and nucleotide metabolic process; purine base metabolic process; protein homotetramerization; activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor; positive regulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase cascade; osteoblast differentiation; response to vitamin E; response to reactive oxygen species; response to hyperoxia; triacylglycerol metabolic process; UV protection; hydrogen peroxide catabolic process; ureteric bud development; inhibition of NF-kappaB transcription factor; positive regulation of cell division; aerobic respiration; response to hypoxia; purine nucleotide catabolic process; protein tetramerization; aging; negative regulation of apoptosis

Disease: Acatalasemia