Page 182 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

Transferases Transferase Transferase is the generic
name for enzymes that
An enzyme for
transferring a part transfer a specific clump
of one molecule to of atoms (functional group)
another is called a
to a chemical compound
transferase. other than water.

Transferase

Special
delivery!

Functional
Group

For example, this Represented by EC 2.X.X.X
thymidylate synthase 5,10-Methylene tetrahydrofolate

(EC 2.1.1.45) is a
transferase:

Uracil Transferase Thymine

Methyl Important!
group

-CH3

The methyl group I see...
(-CH3) that was taken

from a substance
called 5,10-methylene
tetrahydrofolate is

attached to uracil,
changing it into thymine.

Uracil and thymine are
ingredients of nucleic

acid, but we’ll get
to those later (see

Chapter 5).