NITROREDUCTASE Meaning and
Definition
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Nitroreductase is an enzyme that belongs to the family of reductases and plays a crucial role in various biological processes. It catalyzes the reduction of nitro groups in different nitrogen-containing compounds, such as nitroaromatic compounds or nitroimidazoles.
The enzyme functions by utilizing electrons from a reducing agent, often NADH or NADPH, to transfer them to the nitro group. This reduction reaction leads to the formation of corresponding nitroso compounds, which can further undergo other metabolic transformations within the organism.
Nitroreductases are found in various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. They are involved in several physiological and cellular processes, such as the metabolism of xenobiotics, detoxification of harmful compounds, and microbial defense mechanisms. In some microorganisms, nitroreductases participate in the anaerobic respiration process by facilitating the electron transfer to alternative terminal electron acceptors, such as nitrate or nitrite.
Nitroreductase enzymes have gained significant attention in the field of bioremediation and cancer therapy. In bioremediation, nitroreductases help in the degradation of pollutants, as they can transform toxic nitroaromatic compounds into less harmful substances. Moreover, these enzymes have been utilized for targeted cancer therapies, where they can activate prodrugs by selectively converting them into their active forms in tumor cells.
In summary, nitroreductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of nitro groups in nitrogen-containing compounds, playing important roles in various biological processes, including metabolism, detoxification, and microbial defense.
Common Misspellings for NITROREDUCTASE
- bitroreductase
- mitroreductase
- jitroreductase
- hitroreductase
- nutroreductase
- njtroreductase
- nktroreductase
- notroreductase
- n9troreductase
- n8troreductase
- nirroreductase
- nifroreductase
- nigroreductase
- niyroreductase
- ni6roreductase
- ni5roreductase
- niteoreductase
- nitdoreductase
- nitforeductase
- nittoreductase
Etymology of NITROREDUCTASE
The word "nitroreductase" is derived from two components: "nitro-" and "-reductase".
1. "Nitro-" comes from the combining form of the Latin word "nitrum", which means "saltpetre" or "potassium nitrate". In chemistry, this term refers to a chemical compound characterized by the nitro group (-NO2). The nitro group is composed of one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms.
2. "-Reductase" is derived from the noun "reduction", which is the chemical reaction involving the gaining of electrons and a decrease in the oxidation number of a molecule, atom, or ion. "-Reductase" then denotes an enzyme or protein that performs or facilitates the process of reduction.
