phosphorylase

noun

phos·​phor·​y·​lase fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlās How to pronounce phosphorylase (audio)
-ˌlāz
: any of the enzymes that catalyze phosphorolysis with the formation of organic phosphates

Examples of phosphorylase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In 1971, Louise Johnson, who would go on to become an eminent crystallographer, was modeling phosphorylase, which at 842 amino acids was at the time the largest protein anyone had worked on. Quanta Magazine, 26 June 2024 The authors speculate that the changes at positions 203 and 204 increase phosphorylase affinity, leading to greater N protein phosphorylation, which is positively correlated to the efficiency of viral genome processing and nucleocapsid assembly. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphorylase was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near phosphorylase

Cite this Entry

“Phosphorylase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylase. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphorylase

noun
phos·​phor·​y·​lase fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāz How to pronounce phosphorylase (audio)
: any of a group of enzymes that catalyze phosphorolysis with the formation of organic phosphates (as glucose-1-phosphate in the breakdown and synthesis of glycogen) and that occur in animal and plant tissues

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