Transferase
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In biochemistry, a transferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a functional group (e.g. a methyl or phosphate group) from one molecule (called the donor) to another (called the acceptor). For example, an enzyme that catalyzed this reaction would be a transferase:
- A–X + B → A + B–X
Nomenclature
Proper names of transferases are formed as "donor:acceptor grouptransferase." However, other names are much more common. The common names of transferases are often formed as "acceptor grouptransferase" or "donor grouptransferase." For example, a DNA methyltransferase is a transferase that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group to a DNA acceptor.Classification
Transferases are classified as EC 2 in the EC number classification. Transferases can be further classified into nine subclasses:- includes enzymes that transfer one-carbon groups
- includes enzymes that transfer aldehyde or ketone groups
- includes acyltransferases
- includes glycosyltransferases
- includes enzymes that transfer alkyl or aryl groups, other than methyl groups
- includes enzymes that transfer nitrogenous groups
- includes enzymes that transfer phosphorus-containing groups
- includes enzymes that transfer sulfur-containing groups
- includes enzymes that transfer selenium-containing groups
See also
References
- [EC 2 Introduction] from the Department of Chemistry at Queen Mary University of London
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