isomerase

American  

[ahy-som-uh-reys, -reyz] / aɪˈsɒm əˌreɪs, -ˌreɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes that catalyze reactions involving intramolecular rearrangements.

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isomerase British  

/ aɪˈsɒməreɪs /

noun

1. any enzyme that catalyses the conversion of one isomeric form of a compound to another

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Etymology

Origin of isomerase

First recorded in 1940–45; isomer + -ase

Example Sentences

Xylose isomerase probably functions to increase the diversity of the carbon sources that L. brevis can exploit, as is the case for the many other bacteria that produce this enzyme.

From Nature

Further experiments revealed that supplying xylose isomerase to flies whose bacteria had been eliminated was necessary and sufficient to modulate fly locomotion.

From Nature

Schretter et al. found that the walking activity of flies that lacked gut bacteria but had been given xylose isomerase was increased by activation of the genes encoding enzymes needed for the synthesis of octopamine.

From Nature

Perhaps this means that xylose isomerase decreases the availability of a glucose substrate needed for the synthesis of trehalose.

From Nature

The authors administered trehalose to flies that lacked gut bacteria and had been provided with xylose isomerase, and report that the trehalose treatment caused the flies’ walking speed to increase.

From Nature