This enzyme belongs to the family of ligases, to be specific those forming carbon-oxygen bonds in aminoacyl-tRNA and related compounds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-tryptophan:tRNATrp ligase (AMP-forming). Other names in common use include tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, L-tryptophan-tRNATrp ligase (AMP-forming), tryptophanyl-transfer ribonucleate synthetase, tryptophanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase, tryptophanyl-transfer RNA synthetase, tryptophanyl ribonucleic synthetase, tryptophanyl-transfer ribonucleic synthetase, tryptophanyl-tRNA synthase, tryptophan translase, and TrpRS. This enzyme participates in tryptophan metabolism and aminoacyl-trna biosynthesis.
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