A subclass (EC 4.2.1.x) of lyases (hydro-lyases) that remove H and OH as H2O from a substrate, leaving a double bond, or add a group to a double bond by the elimination of water from two substances to form a third; synthase is sometimes used when the synthetic aspect of the reaction is emphasized. Some trivial name s of enzymes in this subclass bear the generic term hydratase, emphasizing the reverse reaction.
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de·hy·dra·tase (')dē-'hī-drə-.tās, -.tāz n an enzyme that catalyzes the removal of oxygen and hydrogen from metabolites in the proportion in which they form water
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de·hy·dra·tase (de-hiґdrə-tās) a term used in the usual recommended or trivial name for enzymes of the sub-subclass hydro-lyase (q.v.).Medical dictionary. 2011.