coenzyme a

2 definitions found

coenzyme a - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  coenzyme A \co*en"zyme A`\ (k[-o]*[e^]n"z[imac]m [=a]`),
     (Biochem.)
     a coenzyme (C21H36N7O16P3S) that participates in the
     transfer of acetyl groups in biochemical reactions; --
     abbreviated CoA. It contains adenosine, phosphate,
     pantothenic acid and cysteamine groups. The acetyl group to
     be transferred during biosynthesis is temporarily attached to
     the free sulhydryl of the cysteamine group to form a
     thioester, in which state it is called acetyl coenzyme A. The
     strength of a preparation of coenzyme A may be expressed by
     the Lippman unit; one milligram of CoA contains 413 Lippman
     units.
     [PJC]

coenzyme a - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  coenzyme A
      n 1: a coenzyme present in all living cells; essential to
           metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and some amino acids