phos·pha·tase (fòs¹fe-tâs´, -tâz´) noun Any of numerous enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of esters of phosphoric acid and are important in the absorption and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, and phospholipids and in the calcification of bone. [PHOSPHAT(E) + -ASE.] 2
An enzyme that removes a phosphate group from a substrate by hydrolysis. Phosphoprotein phosphatases act with protein kinases to control the activity of many cellular proteins.
any of a group of enzymes that act as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of organic phosphates
An enzyme that removes a phosphate from a nucleic acid or protein. Phosphatases are potential contaminants of restriction enzyme reactions and can reduce subsequent ligation efficiency.