transformase

Transformase is a term used in biochemistry and biotechnology to describe enzymes that catalyze chemical transformations of substrates—altering structure, functional groups, or oxidation state—without a universally accepted, formal definition. It is not an official enzyme class in the IUPAC/EC system, and the term is most often encountered in exploratory literature, synthetic biology discussions, and popular science explanations of catalytic chemistry.

Usage varies, but transformase is generally used as a broad label for enzymes that perform transformative chemistry rather than specific group transfers. This can include rearrangements and isomerizations of carbon skeletons, redox transformations, or condensation and elimination steps that generate new products. The term does not imply a single reaction mechanism.

Because there is no standardized definition, there is no single catalytic motif for transformases. In practice, enzymes that execute transformative chemistry are usually described by established enzyme classes such as oxidoreductases, lyases, isomerases, or transferases, based on the principal chemistry of the reaction and the EC number assigned to the enzyme.

Applications of the transformase concept appear primarily in metabolic engineering and biocatalysis, where researchers seek enzymes capable of converting substrates into valuable products via novel transformations. Engineered transformases may enable more efficient synthesis, expanded biosynthetic pathways, or greener industrial processes, although the term remains informal in most scientific contexts.