Understanding Transferases: The Enzymes That Facilitate Cellular Processes

Transferases are a class of enzymes that facilitate the transfer of functional groups from one molecule to another. These enzymes catalyze a wide range of reactions, including phosphorylation, glycosylation, and lipid modification.

Transferases can be divided into several subclasses based on the type of functional group they transfer:

1. Phosphotransferases: These enzymes transfer phosphate groups from ATP or other phosphorylated molecules to target proteins or lipids. Examples include protein kinases and lipid kinases.
2. Glycosyltransferases: These enzymes add sugar molecules to target proteins or lipids. Examples include glycoprotein synthesis and cell surface glycosylation.
3. Lipid transferases: These enzymes transfer lipids from one molecule to another. Examples include acyl-CoA synthetases and acyl-CoA dehydrogenases.
4. Nucleotide transferases: These enzymes transfer nucleotides from one molecule to another. Examples include nucleoside diphosphate kinase and ATP citrate lyase.

Overall, transferases play important roles in many cellular processes, including signal transduction, protein synthesis, and lipid metabolism. Dysregulation of transferase activity has been implicated in a variety of diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.