Adenylyl cyclase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP (cAMP) and pyrophosphate. It plays a key role in intracellular signaling by generating second messengers in response to various hormones and other signals. The term reflects its action on adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to form cyclized cyclic AMP.
"Researchers studied how adenylyl cyclase activity changes in response to adrenaline."
"The enzyme is activated by G-protein signaling pathways."
"Inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase can decrease intracellular cAMP levels."
"Mutations in adenylyl cyclase can disrupt hormonal signaling in cells."
Adenylyl cyclase derives from adenylyl, referring to the adenine nucleotide adenylyl (a form of AMP bound in enzymatic contexts) and the enzyme-type suffix -ase. The word combines adenylyl (derived from adenosine monophosphate, AMP; from Greek adenos “glandless”/not relevant here, and -yl- as a chemical suffix indicating a radical) with cyclase, from Greek kyklos meaning circle or cycle, used to denote enzymes that form cyclic products. The term first appears in the 1950s–1960s as researchers began to characterize enzymes that convert ATP to cyclic AMP. Early biochemists identified cyclic AMP as a second messenger in signaling cascades; the discovery of adenylyl cyclase as the enzyme responsible for producing cAMP from ATP established a central pathway linking extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Over decades, the nomenclature matured: “adenylyl cyclase” became the standard term in physiology and pharmacology, while “adenylate cyclase” is also widely understood and used in scientific literature. The spelling reflects chemical heritage: adenylyl corresponds to the adenylate group in nucleotide chemistry, while cyclase denotes an enzyme catalyzing cyclization to form cyclic AMP. The etymology highlights the historical trail from nucleotide chemistry to cellular signaling, with first widely cited demonstrations appearing in mid-20th century biochemistry texts and primary research articles on second messengers.
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Words that rhyme with "Adenylyl Cyclase"
-yze sounds
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Break it as: ad-EN-ih-lee l CY-lase, with primary stress on the second syllable of adenylyl (uh-DE-nuh-lyl or ad-EN-ih-lyl) and the independent stress on cyclase (CY-lase). IPA: US ˌæ.dɛn.ɪˈlɪl ˈsaɪˌleɪs; UK ˌæ.dɪˈnɛlˌaɪ ˈsaɪˌleɪs; AU ˌæ.dɛn.ɪˈlɪl ˈsaɪˌleɪs. In practice, you’ll often hear “AD-en-uh-lyl CY-lase” with a lighter second dash.”
Common mistakes include flattening the second syllable of adenylyl into a quick, indistinct schwa and misplacing stress on cyclase (e.g., ad-EN-uh-lyl CY-lase rather than ad-EN-ih-lyl CY-lase). Another frequent error is mispronouncing cyclase as “cyclase” with an inaccurate -eye- sound instead of -ayse. Correct by clearly articulating the -l- in adenylyl, and keeping the -ase as /eɪs/ rather than /əs/; practice the sequence ad-EN-ih-lyl CY-layse with steady, even tempo.”
US tends to stress the second syllable of adenylyl and the first syllable of cyclase: /ˌæ.dɛn.ɪˈlɪl ˈsaɪˌleɪs/. UK often places more even distribution with /ˌæ.dɪˈnɛlˌaɪ ˈsaɪˌleɪs/ and a slightly crisper /ˈsaɪˌleɪs/. Australian speech can lean into a longer vowel in the first part and may produce /ˌædˈɛnɪlaɪ ˈsaɪˌleɪs/ or similar, with less rhoticity and a broader a in ad- sounds. Keep IPA guides in mind and listen to native experts for fine-tuning.”
It challenges you with multi-syllabic adenylyl and the distinct -lyl ending, plus the -ase in cyclase, which can blend. The first part has an extra i- and l- sequence that can blur in rapid speech. The main tips: segment as ad-EN-ih-lyl, then CY-lase, maintain a clear /l/ before the final /eɪs/. Slow, deliberate practice helps you lock the transitions and keep the two words distinctly audible.
Q: Is the prefix adenylyl ever pronounced like aden-uh-lyl or ad-EN-ih-lyl, and does the stress shift in rapid speech? A: Both pronunciations appear in literature and speech. In careful enunciation, you’ll say ad-EN-ih-lyl (with secondary stress on the “lyl” portion) followed by CY-lase. In faster delivery, you may hear ad-ENO-lyl or ad-EN-uh-lyl, but aim for the standard ad-EN-ih-lyl to ensure clarity, especially in classrooms or talks. IPA guides should reinforce this pattern.
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