An enzyme isolated from a cell is found to catalyse the linking together of two compounds by specifically forming a P-O (phosphorus-oxygen) bond. According to the IUBMB system of enzyme classification, this enzyme belongs to which of the following classes?

Step-by-step solution

According to the IUBMB system of enzyme classification, enzymes that catalyse the linking together of two compounds are classified as ligases. Ligases specifically catalyse the joining of bonds such as C-O, C-S, C-N, and P-O bonds. Therefore, an enzyme that forms a P-O bond to link two compounds is a ligase. Lyases catalyse the removal of groups leaving double bonds, hydrolases catalyse bond cleavage using water, and transferases catalyse the transfer of a group from one substrate to another. Answer: Ligases