1. An enzyme catalyzing the conversion of a proenzyme to an active enzyme; e.g., enteropeptidase (enterokinase). 2. An enzyme catalyzing the transfer of phosphate groups. For individual kinases, see specific name.
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ki·nase 'kī-.nās, -.nāz n any of various enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups from a high-energy phosphate-containing molecule (as ATP or ADP) to a substrate called also phosphokinase
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n.
2. an enzyme that catalyses the transfer of phosphate groups. An example is phosphofructokinase.
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ki·nase (kiґnās) 1. a term used in the recommended and trivial names of the phosphotransferases and diphosphotransferases of the transferase class [EC 2.7.1–6] that catalyze the transfer of a high-energy phosphate group from a donor compound (e.g., ATP or GTP) to an acceptor compound (alcohol, carboxyl, nitrogenous group, or another phosphate group). 2. a suffix used in the trivial names of some enzymes that convert an inactive or precursor form. See also protein kinase.Medical dictionary. 2011.