Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1)

Carboxylesterase 1 is a member of a large multigene family. The enzymes encoded by these genes are responsible for the hydrolysis of ester- and amide-bond-containing drugs such as cocaine and heroin. They also hydrolyze long-chain fatty acid esters and thioesters.

This enzyme is known to hydrolyze aromatic and aliphatic esters and is necessary for cellular cholesterol esterification. It may also play a role in detoxification in the lung and/or protection of the central nervous system from ester or amide compounds. Carboxylesterase deficiency may be associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or B-cell lymphocytic leukemia. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene.