What type of reaction do transferases facilitate?

Transferases are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a specific functional group from one molecule to another. This class of enzymes plays a crucial role in various biochemical pathways by facilitating the movement of groups such as methyl, phosphate, or amino groups, enabling the transformation and modification of molecules.

For example, a common reaction involves the transfer of phosphate groups, as seen in kinases, which transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a substrate. This group transfer is vital for energy metabolism, signaling pathways, and various synthesis reactions within the cell.

In contrast, hydrolysis involves the breaking of chemical bonds via the addition of water, which is characteristic of hydrolases, not transferases. Reduction-oxidation reactions involve the transfer of electrons and are catalyzed by oxidoreductases, while isomerization refers to the rearrangement of the molecular structure without changing the molecular formula and is served by isomerases. Therefore, the primary role of transferases in facilitating group transfer between molecules distinctly identifies them within the realm of biochemical reactions.