urease

noun

ure·​ase ˈyu̇r-ē-ˌās How to pronounce urease (audio)
-ˌāz
: an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea

Examples of urease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These molecules are lodged in intestinal cell membranes and shepherd urea from the blood into the gut where the microbes that contain urease are found. Matthew Regan, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2022 Now When the researchers dipped the structure into a second bath of urea and calcium ions, the urease kicked off a chemical reaction that created calcium carbonate. Matt Simon, Wired, 22 Feb. 2021 The Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria within the solution attached to the polymer lattice and started secreting an enzyme called urease. Matt Simon, Wired, 22 Feb. 2021 Further detective work published in 2014 in PNAS revealed that the culprit was a protein called urease. Quanta Magazine, 6 Oct. 2015 While Hinnebusch was working on urease, Lathem was examining another small genetic change that allowed the plague to defeat one of the body’s main defense mechanisms: blood clots. Quanta Magazine, 6 Oct. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urease was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near urease

Cite this Entry

“Urease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urease. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

urease

noun
: a crystallizable enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, is present in the alkaline fermentation of urine, and is produced by many bacteria and found in various seeds

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