In enzymology, an acetylene hydratase (EC 4.2.1.112) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
- acetaldehyde acetylene + H2O
Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, acetaldehyde, and two products, acetylene and H2O.
This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the hydro-lyases, which cleave carbon-oxygen bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is acetaldehyde hydro-lyase (acetylene-forming). Other names in common use include AH, and acetaldehyde hydro-lyase. Acetylene hydratase participates in tetrachloroethene degradation. This enzyme contains tungsten in its molecule and is one of few bacterial enzymes that contain this element.