ligase

American  

[lahy-geys, -geyz] / ˈlaɪ geɪs, -geɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the joining of two molecules by formation of a covalent bond accompanied by the hydrolysis of ATP.

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ligase British  

/ ˈlaɪˌɡeɪz /

noun

1. any of a class of enzymes that catalyse the formation of covalent bonds and are important in the synthesis and repair of biological molecules, such as DNA

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Etymology

Origin of ligase

1961; < Latin lig ( āre ) to tie, bind + -ase

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ligase

When the scientists used T4 DNA ligase to connect those fragments, joining efficiency was about twice as high as with traditional methods.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

Standard methods for assembling long DNA molecules typically use restriction enzymes to make cuts and T4 DNA ligase to connect the resulting fragments.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

Or, by introducing a kind of "molecular glue" into the cell, which attaches to the ligase and thereby induces it to recognize and mark the unwanted protein for degradation.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

The RNA primers are replaced by DNA nucleotides, and ligase seals the DNA, creating phosphodiester bonds between the 3'-OH of one end and the 5'-phosphate of the other strand.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Primers are removed, new DNA nucleotides are put in place of the primers and the backbone is sealed by DNA ligase.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013