helicase

[ hel-i-keys, hee-li‑ ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of the enzymes that use the energy derived from the hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphates to unwind the double-stranded helical structure of nucleic acids:

   RNA and DNA helicases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of helicase¹

helic- + -ase