Cystathionine gamma-lyase (or cystathionase) is an enzyme which breaks down cystathionine into cysteine and α-ketobutyrate. Pyridoxal phosphate is a prosthetic group of this enzyme.
Cystathionine gamma-lyase also catalyses the following elimination reactions:
- L-homoserine to form H2O, NH3 and 2-oxobutanoate
- L-cystine, producing thiocysteine, pyruvate and NH3
- L-cysteine producing pyruvate, NH3 and H2S
In some bacteria and mammals, including humans, this enzyme takes part in generating hydrogen sulfide.
Read more about Cystathionine Gamma-lyase: Examples, Pathology