neuraminidase

noun

neur·​amin·​i·​dase ˌnu̇r-ə-ˈmi-nə-ˌdās 

ˌnyu̇r-,

-ˌdāz

: a hydrolytic enzyme that occurs on the surface of the pneumococcus, influenza-causing viruses, and some paramyxoviruses as an antigen and that splits mucoproteins by breaking a glucoside link

Examples of neuraminidase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flu viruses are classified based on two proteins that sit on the surface of the virus an H, or hemagglutinin, protein, and an N, or neuraminidase, protein. —Carma Hassan, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024

They are currently designated simply as H5 and not H5N1 because CDC labs are still working on typing the neuraminidase, the N number in the virus’ name, STAT’s Helen Branswell reports. —Brittany Trang, STAT, 26 July 2024

The neuraminidase protein on the 2009 virus, the N1, is quite similar, genetically, to the neuraminidase in H5N1. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 5 June 2024

Flu vaccines often generate immune responses to fast-evolving bits of proteins on the outside of flu virus particles, hemagglutinin (Ha or H) and neuraminidase (Na or N). —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 16 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

neuraminic acid, an amino acid + -ide + -ase

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neuraminidase

noun

neur·​amin·​i·​dase ˌn(y)u̇r-ə-ˈmin-ə-ˌdās, -ˌdāz 

: a hydrolytic enzyme that occurs on the surface of the pneumococcus, the orthomyxoviruses, and some paramyxoviruses and that cleaves terminal acetylated neuraminic acids from sugar residues (as in glycoproteins and mucoproteins)