DESAMINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Desaminase refers to any enzyme that catalyzes the removal of an amino group (-NH2) from a compound, resulting in the formation of a corresponding keto or aldehyde compound. This enzymatic process is known as deamination.
Desaminases play a crucial role in various biochemical pathways, particularly in the metabolism of amino acids. They act on specific amino acid substrates and selectively remove the amino group, thereby converting them into either keto acids or aldehydes. The removal of the amino group is typically accomplished by hydrolysis.
These enzymes are found in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals. In humans, desaminases have been identified in various tissues and organs, such as the liver and kidneys. They are essential for maintaining the balance of amino acids and are involved in the overall metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds.
Desaminases can have different specificity towards specific amino acids, meaning that they are specialized in removing the amino group from particular types of amino acids. For example, glutamate dehydrogenase is a desaminase that specifically acts on glutamate, converting it to α-ketoglutarate.
The activity of desaminases can be regulated by different factors, such as the concentration of substrates, cofactors, or specific inhibitors. Disorders involving desaminase dysfunction can lead to various metabolic diseases or genetic disorders, highlighting the importance of these enzymes in maintaining proper metabolic processes.
Common Misspellings for DESAMINASE
- sesaminase
- xesaminase
- cesaminase
- fesaminase
- resaminase
- eesaminase
- dwsaminase
- dssaminase
- ddsaminase
- drsaminase
- d4saminase
- d3saminase
- dexaminase
- deszminase
- dessminase
- deswminase
- desqminase
- desaninase
- desakinase
- desajinase
Etymology of DESAMINASE
The word "desaminase" is derived from two main roots: "des-" and "aminase".
1. "Des-" is a prefix that means to remove or reduce something. It originates from the Latin prefix "de-" which carries a similar meaning.
2. "Aminase" is a suffix formed from the word "amine" and the suffix "-ase".
- "Amine" refers to a compound that contains a nitrogen atom bonded to one or more carbon atoms. It comes from the French word "amine", which was derived from the Latin word "ammonia", referring to a gas with a strong odor.
- "-ase" is a suffix that denotes an enzyme, which is a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms. "Aminase" is thus an enzyme that acts upon or modifies amines.
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