transferase

Thân thiện

A scientist observes a transferase enzyme moving a chemical group in a diagram.

Definition

Noun: An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a specific functional group (such as a methyl, phosphate, or amino group) from one molecule (the donor) to another (the acceptor).

Usage

The term "transferase" is used in biochemistry and molecular biology to classify a major category of enzymes based on their function. It is a technical term. * DNA methyltransferase is a key transferase involved in epigenetic regulation. * The experiment aimed to purify the specific transferase responsible for the reaction.

Advanced Usage

• Kinase: A specific and very important subclass of transferase that transfers a phosphate group, typically from ATP to another molecule.
  • Protein kinase A is a transferase that phosphorylates serine and threonine residues.
• As part of enzyme nomenclature: In the EC number classification system, all enzymes with EC numbers beginning with "2" are transferases.
  • Hexokinase, a transferase, has the EC number 2.7.1.1.

Variants and Related Words

• Transferases (plural form): The plural is used when referring to this entire class of enzymes.
  • Transferases are one of the six main enzyme classes.
• Transferred (verb, past tense of "transfer"): Describes the action carried out.
  • The acetyl group was transferred from acetyl-CoA to the target protein.

Synonyms

• Translocase (in some specific contexts, though "transferase" is more general and standard).
• There is no common, non-technical synonym. The closest descriptive phrase is "group-transfer enzyme."

Related Phrases / Compound Terms

• Acyltransferase: A transferase that moves an acyl group.
• Glycosyltransferase: A transferase that transfers a sugar moiety (glycosyl group).
• Methyltransferase: A transferase that transfers a methyl group.
• Phosphotransferase: A synonym for kinase; a transferase that transfers a phosphate group.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various enzymes that move a chemical group from one compound to another compound