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Glite Dictionary
holoenzyme

holoenzyme

1 9.7
A complete enzyme made of a protein and helper molecules that makes reactions happen
  • noun
  • /ˈhoʊloʊˌɛnzaɪm/
  • Specialized
: holoenzima
  • The rate of DNA synthesis of this holoenzyme, measured with a singly primed ssM13 DNA substrate, is 4.0 ± 0.4 nucleotides.

Examples

  • In this study, the human lagging strand holoenzyme was reconstituted in vitro.

    Blog text (27)

  • Understanding the structure of the holoenzyme helps scientists design better drugs.

  • Holoenzyme is important for elucidating its mechanistic details and function in vivo.

    Blog text (27)

  • The holoenzyme plays a crucial role in catalyzing biochemical reactions in the cell.

  • During the experiment, researchers isolated the holoenzyme to study its activity.

How Complete

holoenzyme
  • Specialized
1 9.7
apoenzyme
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

holoenzyme singular
holoenzymes plural

Morphology

holoenzyme = enzyme (semi-transparent) = holo + enzyme

Formed by the combining form 'holo-' (whole) + 'enzyme' so the structure is clear, but 'holo-' is a specialized scientific combining form unfamiliar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

The word holoenzyme comes from the Greek prefix holo- meaning 'whole' and the word enzyme, so it means the whole, complete enzyme. That's why a holoenzyme is the protein plus all the small parts or cofactors it needs to work.