adenylate

noun

ade·​nyl·​ate ə-ˈde-nə-lət How to pronounce adenylate (audio)
-ˌlāt;
ˌa-də-ˈni-lət,
-ˌlāt
: a salt of adenylic acid
The catalytic activity involves the specific recognition of three substrates: the amino acid and ATP for the formation of an intermediate adenylate, and the tRNA for the final step of aminoacylation in which the amino acid is attached to the ribose of the terminal adenine.M. Ruff et al., Science, 21 June 1991

Word History

Etymology

adenyl(ic acid) + -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adenylate was in 1925

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near adenylate

Cite this Entry

“Adenylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adenylate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!