phosphatase

American

[fos-fuh-teys, -teyz] / ˈfɒs fəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

any of several classes of esterases of varying specificity that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoric esters.

phosphatase British

/ ˈfɒsfəˌteɪs, -ˌteɪz /

noun

any of a group of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of organic phosphates

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of phosphatase

First recorded in 1910–15; phosphate + -ase

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In older forests, phosphatase activity increased in response to phosphorus fertilization, implying that nitrogen limitation disappears as the forest matures and then becomes phosphorus limited.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2024

It targets the enzyme TC-PTP, or T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase, in cells and deletes it.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2023

Although the trial required for accelerated approval was too short to show long-term improvement, the drug lowered alkaline phosphatase levels in many patients who could tolerate taking it.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2022

The drug is designed to replace alkaline phosphatase and to improve bone health.

From Washington Post • Jul. 9, 2022

The signal is terminated by a phosphatase that removes the phosphates from the phosphotyrosine residues.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023