cofactor
nounEtymology From co- + factor.
1
A contributing factor.
- Although many believe HTLV-III plays a primary role in the development of AIDS, it is still unresolved how the virus works and what cofactors, if any, play a role.1985 April 27, Christine Guilfoy, “HTLV-3 Test Availability Elicits Mixed Response”, in Gay Community News, page 3:
2
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A substance, especially a coenzyme or a metal, that must be present for an enzyme to function.
3
Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A molecule that binds to and regulates the activity of a protein.
4
Mathematics, Sciences The result of a number being divided by one of its factors.
5
Linear algebra, Mathematics, Sciences Of a matrix The signed determinant of the submatrix produced by removing the row and column containing a specified element; primarily used in the recursive definition and calculation of the determinant of a matrix.
- Synonyms
- minor
- Derived terms
- cofactor expansion, cofactor matrix, metallocofactor, procofactor