phospholipase

noun

phos·​pho·​li·​pase ˌfäs-fō-ˈlī-ˌpās How to pronounce phospholipase (audio)
-ˌpāz
: any of several enzymes that hydrolyze lecithins or phosphatidylethanolamines

called also lecithinase

Examples of phospholipase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both the opioid-like enkephalin and the phospholipase also help explain the inflamed wound that Losey experienced, as similar toxins are known to promote inflammation. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2017 To find the right cocktail of nanogel components, the researchers pitted chemical formulations against one of the most toxic protein families found in snake venoms: phospholipase A2s, or PLA2s for short. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2017 An enzyme called phospholipase A2, or PLA2, which is also found in venoms from animals, including snakes. Molly Glick, Discover Magazine, 17 Sep. 2021 However, the spitting species’ venom contained higher levels of another group of proteins known as phospholipase A2 toxins, which nonspitters produce only in small quantities, or not at all. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021 The researchers determined the three-finger toxins triggered more pain when combined with phospholipase A2 toxins than alone. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phospholipase was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near phospholipase

Cite this Entry

“Phospholipase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phospholipase. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

phospholipase

noun
phos·​pho·​li·​pase -ˈlī-ˌpās, -ˌpāz How to pronounce phospholipase (audio)
: any of several enzymes that hydrolyze lecithins or phosphatidylethanolamines

called also lecithinase

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