TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHASE Meaning and
Definition
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Tryptophan synthase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of the amino acid tryptophan. It is an enzyme complex composed of two subunits, called α and β, and is found in several microorganisms, plants, and some genetically modified bacteria.
The reaction catalyzed by tryptophan synthase is the final step in the biosynthetic pathway of tryptophan. It involves the conversion of indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP) to tryptophan. The α-subunit of tryptophan synthase converts IGP into indole, while the β-subunit transfers the activated indole to a molecule called L-serine, forming tryptophan. This reaction is energetically favorable and is typically coupled with the hydrolysis of ATP.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from dietary sources. It plays crucial roles in protein synthesis, neurotransmitter production (such as serotonin and melatonin), and acts as a precursor for the synthesis of important molecules like niacin. Therefore, the activity of tryptophan synthase is vital for the production of tryptophan, ensuring its availability for various physiological functions.
Due to its importance, tryptophan synthase has been extensively studied, both in terms of its structure and function. Understanding the enzymatic mechanism of tryptophan synthase has important implications in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
Common Misspellings for TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHASE
- rryptophan synthase
- fryptophan synthase
- gryptophan synthase
- yryptophan synthase
- 6ryptophan synthase
- 5ryptophan synthase
- teyptophan synthase
- tdyptophan synthase
- tfyptophan synthase
- ttyptophan synthase
- t5yptophan synthase
- t4yptophan synthase
- trtptophan synthase
- trgptophan synthase
- trhptophan synthase
- truptophan synthase
- tr7ptophan synthase
- tr6ptophan synthase
- tryotophan synthase
- tryltophan synthase
Etymology of TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHASE
The word "Tryptophan Synthase" is derived from its components: "tryptophan" and "synthase".
1. Tryptophan: The term "tryptophan" comes from the Greek words "tryptos" meaning "worn out" or "refractory" and "phanai" meaning "to appear". Hence, "tryptophan" refers to a compound that was originally extracted from tryptic digest of casein, which means it was challenging to isolate.
2. Synthase: The suffix "-ase" in "synthase" indicates that it is an enzyme. The root word "synth" comes from the Greek word "sunthesis", meaning "a putting together, combination, or composition". Therefore, "synthase" represents an enzyme involved in the synthesis or production of a specific compound, in this case, tryptophan.
