transaminase

American  

[trans-am-uh-neys, -neyz, tranz-] / trænsˈæm əˌneɪs, -ˌneɪz, trænz- /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes, occurring in most plant and animal tissue, that cause transamination.

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transaminase British  

/ trænzˈæmɪˌneɪz, -ˌneɪs /

noun

1. biochem an enzyme that catalyses the transfer of an amino group from one molecule, esp an amino acid, to another, esp a keto acid, in the process of transamination

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Etymology

Origin of transaminase

First recorded in 1940–45; transamin(ation) + -ase

Example Sentences

Levels of aspartate transaminase, a cytosolic enzyme released into the culture medium upon cell death, were measured to give an indication of liver damage.

From Scientific American