ScienceSeptember 3, 2026
methyltransferase
METH-ul-trans-fuh-rays
Definition
An enzyme that facilitates the transfer of a methyl group from a donor molecule to a specific substrate, such as a protein or DNA.
Etymology
Derived from the chemical term 'methyl'—formed from 'methylene' (from Greek 'methy' meaning wine and 'hyle' meaning wood) plus the suffix '-ase', which is used in chemistry to denote an enzyme.
In the news
In the article, the enzymes PCKMT and AKMT are identified as methyltransferases that regulate the parasite's ability to assemble the machinery required for movement and host cell invasion.
Scientists Reveal How Parasites Move, Opening Therapeutic Opportunities
Read the full article ↗Technology Networks