What is "sulfotransferase"

n. (context enzyme English) Any transferase enzyme that catalyses the transfer of sulfate groups

Sulfotransferases are transferase enzymes that catalyze the transfer of a sulfo group (not a sulfate group) from a donor molecule to an acceptor alcohol or amine. The most common sulfo group donor is 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS). In the case of alcohol as acceptor, the product is a sulfate (R-OSO), whereas an amine leads to a sulfamate (R-NH-SO). Both reactive groups for a sulfonation via sulfotransferases may be part of a protein, lipid, carbohydrate or steroid.