Cyanamide hydratase involved in the detoxification and/or utilization of cyanamide, a toxic nitrile compound distributed widely in the environment. urea = cyanamide + H2O Compounds that react with thiol groups, such as Ag+, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and iodoacetamide show a strong inhibitory effect on cyanamide hydratase activity. The enzymatic activity is also sensitive to chelating agents such as EDTA or o-phenanthroline, as well as to reagents containing structural elements of cyanamide, such as urea, dicyandiamide, azide, hydroxylamine, thiocyanate, or cyanate. Optimum pH is 7.7. Optimum temperature is 55 degrees Celsius. Homohexamer. Transgenic plants expressing CAH acquire resistance to toxic cyanamide (PubMed:16173468). Moreover, due to its innate ability to convert cyanamide to urea and the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of cyanamide, the CAH gene can be used to facilitate plant growth promotion and biocontrol of phytopathogens (Ref.2, PubMed:18182434, PubMed:17899261). This enzyme is highly specific for cyanamide. Belongs to the cyanamide dehydrase family.