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Glite Dictionary
convertase

convertase

1 9.9
An enzyme that cuts a larger protein into smaller active pieces
  • noun
  • /kənˈvɜːrteɪs/
  • Specialized
: convertasa
  • The two pathways lead to the formation of specific C3 and C5 convertases, converge in the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), and end with cell lysis.

Examples

  • The convertase catalyzes the breakdown of the protein into smaller fragments that can be used by the body.

  • During the process, the action of the convertase results in the production of active peptide fragments.

  • Researchers studied how the convertase affects the immune response by splitting the target proteins.

Synonyms

enzyme
vsconvertase
  • Specialized
108 4.2

A protein made by living cells that makes certain chemical changes in the body happen faster

is a specialized catalyst that splits compounds into active fragments

Surface Forms

convertase singular
convertases plural

Morphology

convertase = convert (semi-transparent) = convert + ase

The stem 'convert' clearly contributes the core meaning 'to change', but the suffix '-ase' is a technical enzyme-naming morpheme that may be unknown to general B1 learners.

Etymology

Convertase is made of convert, which means 'change' or 'turn', and the enzyme ending -ase, the same ending you see in lactase. So a convertase is an enzyme that 'changes' a compound, often by splitting it into smaller, active pieces.