decarboxylase

Any enzyme that catalyses the removal of carbon dioxide from a substrate. An example is the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase, which catalyses the formation of acetaldehyde from pyruvate, a reaction in the alcoholic fermentation of glucose. Decarboxylases have a tightly bound coenzyme, often biotin or thiamin pyrophosphate, which acts as an intermediate carboxyl carrier. See also carboxylase.