Involved in biotin biosynthesis in Gram-negative bacteria. The enzyme exhibits carboxylesterase activity, particularly toward substrates with short acyl chains [1,2]. Even though the enzyme can interact with coenzyme A thioesters [3], the in vivo role of the enzyme is to hydrolyse the methyl ester of pimeloyl-[acyl carrier protein], terminating the part of the biotin biosynthesis pathway that is catalysed by the fatty acid elongation enzymes [4].
![Example Structure of pimelyl-[acyl-carrier protein] methyl ester esterase EC#: 3.1.1.85](/wp-content/uploads/enzyme-structure/3.1.1.85.jpg)