Barbiturase acts as a catalyst in the second step of oxidative pyrimidine degradation, promoting the ring-opening hydrolysis of barbituric acid to ureidomalonic acid. Although grouped into the naturally existing amidohydrolases, it demonstrates more homology with cyanuric acid amidohydrolase.
Barbiturase plays a role in the second stage of pyrimidine breakdown, catalyzing the hydrolysis of barbituric acid to ureidomalonic acid. Although sharing characteristics with naturally occurring enzymes, it is more closely related to cyanuric acid amidohydrolase.