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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Denature \De*na"ture\, v. i.
To become denatured.
[PJC]


Denature \De*na"ture\, v. t. [De- nature.]
To deprive of its natural qualities; change the nature of.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. to render (ethyl alcohol) unfit to drink by adding in
toxic or unpalatable substances (such as benzene or
pyridine) which nevertherless permit alcohol to be used as
a solvent.
[PJC]

3. modify the tertiary structure of (a protein or nucleic
acid) so as to reduce or destroy its characteristic
biological activity.

Note: Bioactive macromolecules such as enzymes or DNA may be
denatured by heat, acid, alkali, or solvent treatment;
the extent of such treatment required to denature a
molecule varies with the specific compound. In some
cases the denatured molecules may regain their original
properties (renature) by other treatments. Denaturation
may also cause a change in the physical properties of
such molecules, e.g. proteins may become insoluble in
water.
[PJC]