ligase

ligase /li·gase/ (li´gas) (lig´as) any of a class of enzymes that catalyze the joining together of two molecules coupled with the breakdown of a pyrophosphate bond in ATP or a similar triphosphate.

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li·gase (lgs, -gz)

n.

Any of a class of enzymes, including the carboxylases, that catalyze the linkage of two molecules, generally utilizing ATP as the energy donor. Also called synthetase.

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ligase

an enzyme that repairs single-strand nicks in duplex DNA and covalently joins DNA fragments with complementary, overlapping (called also cohesive or sticky) ends or less efficiently, with blunt ends. Bacteriophage T4 ligase catalyzes the formation of a covalent phosphodiester bond between adjacent 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl groups in duplex DNA.

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ligase chain reaction

a technique for detecting a specific nucleotide pair in a gene. Called also LCR.