Transferaasien

Transferaasien is the Finnish genitive plural of transferaasit, the enzymes that catalyze the transfer of functional groups from one molecule to another. In biochemistry, transferases form EC class 2 and are subdivided by the type of group transferred, with subgroups numbered 2.1 through 2.9.

Common examples include aminotransferases (transaminases), which move amino groups between amino acids and corresponding keto acids (EC 2.6.x); glycosyltransferases, which transfer sugar moieties (EC 2.4.x); kinases, which transfer phosphate groups (EC 2.7.x); methyltransferases, which transfer methyl groups (EC 2.1.1.x); acyltransferases, which transfer acyl groups (EC 2.3.x); and sulfotransferases, which transfer sulfate groups (EC 2.8.x). The chemical diversity of transferred groups underpins a wide range of biological processes, from metabolism and biosynthesis to regulation and signaling.

Mechanistically, transferases often rely on active-site residues and cofactors. For example, aminotransferases commonly use pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), while methyltransferases employ donors such as S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Reactions typically proceed through the formation of a transient donor–acceptor complex, enabling transfer without the need to create entirely new molecules.

Physiological roles of transferases are broad. They participate in nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, protein and nucleic acid modification, and signal transduction. In medicine and industry, transferases are relevant for drug metabolism, the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, and various biotechnological applications.

In Finnish scientific literature, transferaasien denotes the genitive plural form used when referring to multiple transferases in possessive contexts.