synthetase

li·gase   (lī'gās', -gāz')    n.  Any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the linkage of two molecules, generally utilizing ATP as the energy donor. Also called synthetase. [Latin ligāre, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots + -ase.]

Main Entry: syn·the·tase
Pronunciation: 'sin-th&-"tAs, -"tAz
Function: noun
: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of twomolecules especially by using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (as ATP) called also ligase

synthetase syn·the·tase (sĭn'thĭ-tās', -tāz')
n.
See ligase.

synthetase

any one of a class of about 50 enzymes that catalyze reactions involving the conservation of chemical energy and provide a couple between energy-demanding synthetic processes and energy-yielding breakdown reactions. They catalyze the joining of two molecules, deriving the needed energy from the cleavage of an energy-rich phosphate bond (in many cases, by the simultaneous conversion of adenosine triphosphate [ATP] to adenosine diphosphate [ADP]). A ligase catalyzing the formation of a carbon-oxygen bond between an amino acid and transfer RNA is called amino acid-RNA ligase. Carbon-nitrogen (CN) bonds are formed by the action of such enzymes as amide synthetases and peptide synthetases.

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