This page contains brief, introductory information inspired by questions asked by people around the web. This page here contains reasonably short concise answers or information with some useful links or images to help clarify answers.
The differences between kinases, ligases and synthases
Firstly , all these are kinds of enzymes that do particular kinds of things.
A kinase is an enzyme associated with energy production. It is involved in transfering phosphate groups from one molecule to another. Effectively it energises a molecule so it can go onto a new reaction.
A ligase is a kind of enzyme that helps to join molecules togther. For example DNA is a string of nucleic acids. These need to be joined and a DNA ligase is used. The enzyme needs to be shaped to fit part of the DNA or RNA molecule.
Synthases are enzymes usually involved in the production of a particular kind of biochemical. For example Tryptophan synthase, helps in the the last step for creating Tryptophan. Or ATP-synthase produces a final ATP molecule.
Sources/references:
Questions or comments? email info@clearlyexplained.com
| kinase | ligase | synthase |
involved in energy and metabolism. Kin- kinetic, or to move energy
|
involved in joining molecules togther lig- ligate or join
|
produce a particular kind of biochemical molecule. synth- to create or make
|
note: DNA ligase can just use ATP with no kinases