Sulfatase enzymes are classified as type I, in which the key catalytic residue is 3-oxo-L-alanine, type II, which are non-heme iron-dependent dioxygenases, or type III, whose catalytic domain adopts a metallo-beta-lactamase fold and binds two zinc ions as cofactors. This enzyme belongs to the type III family. The enzyme, characterized from a Pseudomonas strain, is specific for branched primary-alkyl sulfate esters and does not act on linear substrates such as dodecyl sulfate. cf. EC 3.1.6.1, arylsulfatase (type I), EC 1.14.11.77, alkyl sulfatase, EC 3.1.6.19, (R)-specific secondary-alkylsulfatase (type III) and EC 3.1.6.21, linear primary-alkylsulfatase.
