DIHYDROOROTASE Meaning and
Definition
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Dihydroorotase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines, which are one of the two types of nucleic acids essential for the genetic material of all organisms. Specifically, it participates in the de novo synthesis pathway of pyrimidines, which results in the production of important building blocks for DNA and RNA.
The enzyme dihydroorotase is responsible for catalyzing a key step in this pathway, which involves the conversion of the molecule dihydroorotate to orotate. This reaction takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells or in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes.
Dihydroorotase achieves this conversion through a series of precise chemical reactions, utilizing specific substrates and cofactors. The enzyme's activity is regulated by various factors, including feedback inhibition by the final product of the pathway, orotate.
The proper functioning of dihydroorotase is essential for the normal growth and development of organisms. Deficiencies in this enzyme can disrupt pyrimidine metabolism and lead to severe disorders, such as orotic aciduria, a rare genetic condition characterized by impaired growth, anemia, and neurological complications.
In summary, dihydroorotase is an enzyme that plays a critical role in pyrimidine biosynthesis, facilitating the transformation of dihydroorotate into orotate. It is an essential component of the de novo pathway for the production of pyrimidine nucleotides required for DNA and RNA synthesis.
Common Misspellings for DIHYDROOROTASE
- sihydroorotase
- xihydroorotase
- cihydroorotase
- fihydroorotase
- rihydroorotase
- eihydroorotase
- duhydroorotase
- djhydroorotase
- dkhydroorotase
- dohydroorotase
- d9hydroorotase
- d8hydroorotase
- digydroorotase
- dibydroorotase
- dinydroorotase
- dijydroorotase
- diuydroorotase
- diyydroorotase
- dihtdroorotase
- dihgdroorotase
Etymology of DIHYDROOROTASE
The word "Dihydroorotase" is derived from the combination of two parts: "dihydro" and "orotase".
The term "dihydro" refers to "dihydrogen" or "two hydrogens" and indicates the presence of two hydrogen atoms in a molecule. In the case of dihydroorotase, it suggests the presence of two hydrogen atoms in the molecule it names.
The second part, "orotase", is derived from "orotic acid", a compound found in living organisms. Orotic acid is an intermediate molecule involved in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, which are essential building blocks of DNA and RNA. "Orotase" indicates an enzyme responsible for catalyzing or facilitating the reaction involving orotic acid.
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