Contains zinc and is specific for barbiturate as substrate [3]. Forms part of the oxidative pyrimidine-degrading pathway in some microorganisms, along with EC 1.17.99.4 (uracil/thymine dehydrogenase) and EC 3.5.1.95 (N-malonylurea hydrolase). It was previously thought that the end-products of the reaction were malonate and urea but this has since been disproved [2]. May be involved in the regulation of pyrimidine metabolism, along with EC 2.4.2.9, uracil phosphoribosyltransferase.
Novel amidohydrolytic reactions in oxidative pyrimidine metabolism: analysis of the barbiturase reaction and discovery of a novel enzyme, ureidomalonase.