ribonuclease

noun

ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ase ˌrī-bō-ˈnü-klē-ˌās How to pronounce ribonuclease (audio)
-ˈnyü-,
-ˌāz
: an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of RNA

called also RNase

Examples of ribonuclease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Anfinsen mixed a sample of the protein ribonuclease — which breaks down RNA — with a denaturant, a chemical that deactivated it. Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2018 Much as the folds determine whether a piece of paper can fly across a room, only one fold pattern would result in functioning ribonuclease. Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2018 The finding that extracellular miRNAs circulate in body fluids, despite the presence of ribonuclease, indicates that mechanisms exist to protect miRNAs from degradation. Chao Yan, Scientific American, 17 June 2020 To amplify the signal of ribosomal RNA, Tosar added compounds known as ribonuclease inhibitors to the samples, which block naturally occurring enzymes from digesting RNA. Roxanne Khamsi, Scientific American, 17 June 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribonuclease was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near ribonuclease

Cite this Entry

“Ribonuclease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribonuclease. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ribonuclease

noun
ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ase ˌrī-bō-ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌās, -ˌāz How to pronounce ribonuclease (audio)
: an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of RNA

called also RNase

More from Merriam-Webster on ribonuclease

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