Abhydrolase Domain Containing Protein 4 (ABHD4)

ABHD4, is a protein which belongs to the peptidase S33 family and ABHD4 / ABHD5 subfamily. The alpha/beta hydrolase fold is common to a number of hydrolytic enzymes of widely differing phylogenetic origin and catalytic function. The enzymes are believed to have diverged from a common ancestor, preserving the arrangement of the catalytic residues. ABHD4 lysophospholipase selective for N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE). ABHD4 contributes to the biosynthesis of N-acyl ethanolamines, including the endocannabinoid anandamide by hydrolyzing the sn-1 and sn-2 acyl chains from N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) generating glycerophospho-N-acyl ethanolamine (GP-NAE), an intermediate for N-acyl ethanolamine biosynthesis. ABHD4 hydrolyzes substrates bearing saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated N-acyl chains.