This article would focus on identifying the structure and functions of transferase enzymes along with the identification of various Transferase Enzyme examples.
An enzyme is defined as a substance that works as a catalyst within living organisms in order to regulate the rate of various chemical reactions, but itself remains unaltered. Transferase is one among the various classes of enzymes in living beings.
What is transferase enzyme?
The transferase group of enzymes engage in catalysing the transfer of a specific set of functional groups (e.g., glycosyl; or methyl group) from one molecule, known as the donor molecule to another molecule, known as the acceptor molecule.
The transferase enzymes are associated with a numerous sets of reactions within the cells. These enzymes are identified to be an essential part in facilitating significant cycles in one’s life.
The family of the transferase enzyme is highly diverse and seeks its usage in various types of biotechnological purposes and experimentations.
Transferase enzyme Structure and classification
Like all other enzymes, transferase enzymes are structurally built of a linear chain of amino acids. These enzymes are typically large and can range from containing 62 amino acid residues to 2500 amino acid residues. The active site of the enzyme consists of both the catalytic site and the binding site. In the case of transferase enzymes, transportation of only functional groups is facilitated.
Based on the FC Number classification system, the Transferase group of enzymes can be divided into ten differentiating categories considering the type of chemical group it transfers. Hydrogen does not get included in the functional group that is being targeted by transferase.
| EC number | Examples | Group(s) transferred |
| 2.1 | Methyltransferase Formyltransferase | single-carbon groups |
| 2.2 | Transaldolase Transketolase | Aldehyde Ketone groups |
| 2.3 | Acyltransferase | acyl groups |
| 2.4 | Glycosyltransferase Hexosyltransferase Pentosyltransferase | Glycosyl groups Hexoses Pentoses |
| 2.5 | Riboflavin synthase Chlorophyll synthase | alkyl/ aryl groups |
| 2.6 | Transaminase Oximinotransferase | nitrogenous groups |
| 2.7 | Phosphotransferase Polymerase Kinase | Groups containing phosphorus |
| 2.8 | Sulfurtransferase Sulfotransferase | Groups containing sulphur |
| 2.9 | Selenotransferase | Groups containing Selenium |
| 2.10 | Molybdenum transferase Tungsten transferase | Molybdenum Tungsten |
Transferase enzyme Examples
A few of the Transferase enzymes examples are as follows:
Peptidyl transferase
This particular enzyme engages in transferring an amino acid from the molecule of tRANA during the process of translation where protein biosynthesis is facilitated. This forms among the most important processes within living organisms.
Coenzyme A transferase
This enzyme engages in the synthesis of fatty acids and facilitates oxidation of pyruvate in the C3 cycle. Basically it engages in moving thiol esters.
N-acetyltransferase
This enzyme has been identified to be essential for the pathways that would utilise tryptophan.
Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase
This enzyme helps in converting pyruvate to acetyl CoA. The transferase enzymes are used in the process of interpretation. In terms of managing the situation, an amino corrosive chain is gathered which is moved by the peptidyl transferase enzyme.
Transferase enzyme Examples in Biotechnology field
Terminal transferases
These enzymes are the type of transferases which can serve to be essential in labelling DNA or even in producing various plasmid vectors.
Both the activities are accomplished by the addition of deoxynucleotides through the form of a definite template which is attached to the downstreaming end of a DNA molecule, that is the 3′ end of DNA.
Terminal transferase is recognised among the exceptional DNA polymerases that can effectively function without any RNA primer.
Glutathione transferases
The family of this specific transferase enzyme is highly diverse and is used for a series of various biotechnological purposes.
Plants engage in utilising glutathione transferases in order to segregate toxic seta of metals from all other parts of a cell.
The set of glutathione transferases enzymes are also used in creating biosensors which could detect various contaminants associated with herbicides and insecticides.
In transgenic plants, Glutathione transferases are utilised in increasing the overall level of stress towards any biotic factor or abiotic factor of stress.
There has been a potential of Glutathione transferases in the field of cancer biology where these enzymes are used as targets regarding anti-cancer medications in the role for drug resistance.
Genes from glutathione transferase are being explored due to its ability in prevention of oxidative damage and its ability to improve the level of resistance in transgenic cultigens.
Rubber transferases
The Hevea plant (Hevea brasiliensis) is identified as the only available natural rubber used for commercial purposes.
On a comparative analysis, natural rubber had been identified to be superior to synthetic rubber regarding commercial usage. There has been exploration in the production of transgenic plants that would be capable of synthesizing natural rubber in addition with tobacco as well as sunflower. The exploration is based on sequencing the essential subunits of the rubber transferase enzyme complex with the aim of transfecting the genes to other sets of plants.
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Hi, I am Sayantani Mishra, a science enthusiast trying to cope with the pace of scientific developments with a master’s degree in Biotechnology.