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
A in this example would be the donor, and B would be the acceptor. The donor is often a coenzyme.
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Nomenclature
Proper names of transferases are formed as "donor:acceptor grouptransferase." However, common 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:
- EC 2.1 includes enzymes that transfer one-carbon groups
- EC 2.2 includes enzymes that transfer aldehyde or ketone groups
- EC 2.3 includes acyltransferases
- EC 2.4 includes glycosyltransferases
- EC 2.5 includes enzymes that transfer alkyl or aryl groups, other than methyl groups
- EC 2.6 includes enzymes that transfer nitrogenous groups
- EC 2.7 includes enzymes that transfer phosphorus-containing groups
- EC 2.8 includes enzymes that transfer sulfur-containing groups
- EC 2.9 includes enzymes that transfer selenium-containing groups
See also
References
EC 2 Introduction (http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iubmb/enzyme/EC2/intro.html) from the Department of Chemistry at Queen Mary University of Londonfr:Transférase pl:Transferaza