The enzyme 1,4-lactonase (EC 3.1.1.25) catalyzes the generic reaction
This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. The systematic name is 1,4-lactone hydroxyacylhydrolase. It is also called ó-lactonase. It participates in galactose metabolism and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. It employs one cofactor, Ca<sup>2+</sup>.
As of late 2007, three structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes , , and .
In a study by Chen et al. a 1,4-lactonase was expressed in E. coli and used as a highly efficient biocatalyst for asymmetric synthesis of chiral compounds.