Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Any of numerous enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of esters of phosphoric acid and are important in the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phospholipids and in the calcification of bone.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biochemistry Any of several enzymes that hydrolyze phosphate esters, and are important in the metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides and phospholipids, and in the formation of bone.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun any of a group of enzymes that act as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of organic phosphates

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[phosphat(e) + –ase.]

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Examples

  • Alkaline phosphatase is also found in bone and may be elevated during growth spurts.

    Laboratory tests for liver transplant patients 2005

  • There is also a protein phosphatase that is able to remove the phosphate group.

    Physiology or Medicine 1992 - Press Release 1992

  • A protein phosphatase removes the phosphate and the protein reverts to its original state.

    MedPoster1992 1992

  • A protein phosphatase in the lymphocyte is activated (when contacting the antigen-presenting cell)

    Med Poster1992 1992

  • At the level of brain enzymes, a relaxed environment causes a decrease of a protein called phosphatase-1 PP1.

    Archive 2005-06-01 Donald Clark 2005

  • At the level of brain enzymes, a relaxed environment causes a decrease of a protein called phosphatase-1 PP1.

    Sims Without the Cord David Grebow 2005

  • The scientists discovered a novel link between a tumour-suppressing gene known as the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and a protein called PKR, which is known to inhibit protein synthesis.

    R&D Mag - News 2010

  • The scientists discovered a novel link between a tumour-suppressing gene known as the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and a protein called PKR, which is known to inhibit protein synthesis.

    EurekAlert! - Breaking News 2010

  • Herbert Chase , a Columbia professor of clinical medicine who is an IBM consultant, said he tried on Watson a tough case he had experienced as a young doctor: a woman in her thirties with severe muscle weakness, who had blood tests indicating a low level of phosphate and elevated alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme.

    WellPoint's New Hire. What Is Watson? Anna Wilde Mathews 2011

  • On the other hand, you'll hear niacin has been linked to abnormal liver enzymes such as elevated alkaline phosphatase.

    Do latest studies show niacin may work better than prescription drugs at lowering cholesterol? 2009

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