synthetase

noun

syn·​the·​tase ˈsin-thə-ˌtās 

-ˌtāz

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules usually using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (such as ATP)

called also ligase

Examples of synthetase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To find out, the team compared Klosneuvirus’s aminoacyl tRNA synthetase sequences with other forms of the enzymes across the tree of life. —Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2017

The results were all over the place, with each synthetase showing closest similarity to a different organism (mostly algae). —Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2017

For example, most viruses lack aminoacyl tRNA synthetase enzymes, which shuttle amino acids onto transfer RNA molecules; these in turn make their way to the ribosome, dropping off their cargo to build proteins from the chains of amino acids. —Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2017

Word History

Etymology

synthetic + -ase

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

synthetase

noun

syn·​the·​tase ˈsin-thə-ˌtās, -ˌtāz 

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules especially by using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (as ATP)

called also ligase