Cytidine Deaminase is an enzyme responsible for modifying nucleotides in DNA and RNA. Its pronunciation is /ˈsaɪtɪdiːn diːˈæmɪneɪs/, with stress on the first and fourth syllables. The word begins with the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ followed by the long vowel /aɪ/. The second syllable includes the voiced alveolar plosive /d/ and the third syllable includes the voiced alveolar nasal /n/. The final syllable features the unstressed mid front vowel /ɪ/ and the voiced alveolar fricative /z/.
Cytidine deaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction of converting cytidine, a nucleoside composed of cytosine and ribose, into uridine, a nucleoside composed of uracil and ribose. This enzymatic process is known as deamination, which involves the removal of the amino group (NH2) from cytidine, resulting in the formation of uridine.
Cytidine deaminase plays a crucial role in the metabolism of nucleic acids, specifically in the degradation of cytidine and its derivatives. By converting cytidine to uridine, this enzyme affects the overall nucleotide pool by regulating the levels of cytidine and uridine bases.
This enzymatic activity is widespread in various organisms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, indicating its vital biological significance. In humans, cytidine deaminase is highly expressed in various tissues, particularly in the liver, intestines, and immune cells, highlighting its involvement in important physiological processes.
Additionally, cytidine deaminase is of significant interest in pharmacology and medicine due to its impact on drug metabolism. It can modify or deactivate certain anticancer agents and antiviral drugs that are derived from cytidine analogs. This knowledge is important in designing effective therapeutic strategies and in overcoming drug resistance in cancer and viral infections.
In summary, cytidine deaminase is an enzyme responsible for the conversion of cytidine to uridine, essential for nucleotide metabolism and drug efficacy.
The word "Cytidine Deaminase" has its etymology rooted in the field of biochemistry. Let's break it down:
1. Cytidine: "Cytidine" refers to a nucleoside, which is composed of the nucleobase cytosine and the sugar ribose. The term "cytidine" originates from the combining form "cytid-", derived from the Latin word "cytisus", which means "a flowering plant called laburnum". This term was used because cytidine was first isolated from laburnum seeds.
2. Deaminase: "Deaminase" is derived from the word "deamine", which indicates the removal of an amino group (-NH2) from a compound.