Acetoin racemase

In enzymology, an acetoin racemase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * (S)-acetoin $$\rightleftharpoons$$ (R)-acetoin

Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, (S)-acetoin, and one product, (R)-acetoin.

This enzyme belongs to the family of isomerases, specifically those racemases and epimerases acting on hydroxy acids and derivatives. The systematic name of this enzyme class is acetoin racemase. This enzyme is also called acetylmethylcarbinol racemase. This enzyme participates in butanoate metabolism.