How Do You Spell TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHETASE?

1. Tryptophan synthetase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of the essential amino acid tryptophan. It is responsible for the final two steps of the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway, converting indole and serine into tryptophan. Tryptophan is an important amino acid in protein synthesis and serves as a precursor for the production of various biologically active compounds, including neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin.

   The enzyme tryptophan synthetase is typically found in bacteria, fungi, and plants where tryptophan synthesis is essential. It consists of two subunits, an α-subunit and a β-subunit, which combine to form an αββα heterotetrameric structure. The α-subunit catalyzes the conversion of indole and serine into indole-3-glycerol phosphate (IGP), while the β-subunit facilitates the transformation of IGP into tryptophan.

   Tryptophan synthetase activity is tightly regulated and can be influenced by various factors, including the levels of tryptophan in the cell. High levels of tryptophan act as a feedback inhibitor, binding to the enzyme and reducing its activity. This regulation ensures that tryptophan synthesis is only activated when its availability is limited.

   Overall, tryptophan synthetase plays a vital role in the production of tryptophan, an essential amino acid with important physiological functions in organisms.

Common Misspellings for TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHETASE

The term "Tryptophan Synthetase" can be broken down into two parts: "tryptophan" and "synthetase".

1. Tryptophan: The word "tryptophan" derives from the Greek words "tryptos" meaning "wearing down" or "rubbed off" and "phainein" meaning "to show". It was named by the German researcher Felix Ehrlich in 1901, who isolated the compound from a protein digest and observed its fluorescence properties upon exposure to ultraviolet light.

2. Synthetase: The term "synthetase" is a combination of the Greek word "synthesis", which means "putting together" or "combination", and the suffix "-ase", which indicates an enzyme.