Aniline hydroxylase is pronounced /ˌænəˌlin haɪˈdrɒksɪleɪz/ according to IPA phonetic transcription. The word starts with a schwa sound, "ænə", followed by a stress on the second syllable "lin" which is pronounced as "lɪn" and followed by a secondary stress on "hid" pronounced as "haɪd". The last syllable consists of the word "hydroxylase", which is pronounced as "haɪˈdrɒksɪleɪz". The pronunciation of this word can be a little tricky for people who are not familiar with the IPA transcription.
Aniline hydroxylase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism and detoxification of certain aromatic compounds, particularly aniline. Aniline hydroxylase belongs to the class of enzymes known as monooxygenases, specifically cytochrome P450 enzymes.
The primary function of aniline hydroxylase is to catalyze the hydroxylation of aniline, a toxic aromatic amine substance, into less detrimental products. This enzymatic reaction involves the incorporation of a hydroxyl group (-OH) into the aniline molecule, resulting in the formation of hydroxyanilines. By introducing a hydroxyl group, aniline hydroxylase facilitates the subsequent biotransformation and elimination of aniline from the body.
The activity of aniline hydroxylase is primarily found in the liver, where it is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. This enzyme is highly specific for aniline and exhibits a diverse range of substrate specificities as it can metabolize other aromatic compounds as well.
Understanding the enzymatic activity of aniline hydroxylase is of great importance in pharmacology and toxicology, as it helps elucidate the metabolism and clearance of various drugs and chemicals. Additionally, studying aniline hydroxylase can provide insights into the mechanisms by which the body processes and detoxifies potentially harmful substances.
Overall, aniline hydroxylase is a vital enzyme involved in the biotransformation and elimination of aniline and other aromatic compounds, contributing to maintaining the physiological balance and protecting the body from toxic effects.
The term "aniline hydroxylase" can be broken down into two parts - "aniline" and "hydroxylase".
1. Aniline: The word "aniline" originates from the Latin word "anil" or "anus", meaning indigo blue. Aniline refers to a colorless, oily, and poisonous liquid compound most commonly derived from coal tar. It was first isolated in 1826 by Otto Unverdorben and later named "aniline" by French chemist Auguste Laurent in 1843.
2. Hydroxylase: The term "hydroxylase" is a combination of the word "hydroxy-" and "lase". The prefix "hydroxy-" is derived from the chemical nomenclature prefix "hydroxy-", meaning the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) in a compound.