SULFURTRANSFERASES Meaning and
Definition
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Sulfurtransferases are a group of enzymes that facilitate the transfer of sulfur atoms or sulfur-containing groups between different molecules. These enzymes play crucial roles in various biochemical processes, particularly in sulfur metabolism and the synthesis of important biomolecules.
Sulfurtransferases are involved in the transfer of sulfur atoms from donor molecules (such as cysteine, glutathione, or coenzyme A) to acceptor molecules (such as small molecules, enzymes, or peptides). This transfer of sulfur is achieved through the formation of a transient sulfur-containing intermediate, which is then transferred to the acceptor molecule.
One of the key functions of sulfurtransferases is their involvement in the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters that are essential for the functioning of many enzymes involved in important cellular processes such as respiration, DNA repair, and nitrogen fixation. Moreover, these enzymes also participate in the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids, serving as catalysts for the breakdown or transport of such amino acids.
Sulfurtransferases are found in all living organisms, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. They span across different enzyme families, including the rhodanese, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase families. Each family of sulfurtransferases performs specific functions and exhibits different substrate specificities.
Overall, sulfurtransferases are indispensable in maintaining the balance of sulfur-containing compounds within living organisms and are essential for various cellular processes, making them key players in sulfur metabolism and biomolecule synthesis.
Common Misspellings for SULFURTRANSFERASES
- aulfurtransferases
- zulfurtransferases
- xulfurtransferases
- dulfurtransferases
- eulfurtransferases
- wulfurtransferases
- sylfurtransferases
- shlfurtransferases
- sjlfurtransferases
- silfurtransferases
- s8lfurtransferases
- s7lfurtransferases
- sukfurtransferases
- supfurtransferases
- suofurtransferases
- suldurtransferases
- sulcurtransferases
- sulvurtransferases
- sulgurtransferases
- sulturtransferases
Etymology of SULFURTRANSFERASES
The word "sulfurtransferases" is derived from the combination of two root words: "sulfur" and "transferase".
1. Sulfur: The term "sulfur" originates from the Latin word "sulfur", which was influenced by the Greek word "thioura". Sulfur is a chemical element with the atomic number 16 and the symbol S. It is a yellowish, nonmetallic substance found in volcanic regions and minerals. The word "sulfur" has remained largely unchanged throughout history and is commonly used in chemistry and biology to refer to the element.
2. Transferase: The term "transferase" comes from the combination of two Latin roots, "trans" meaning "across" or "beyond", and "ferre" meaning "to carry".
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