How Do You Spell ORNITHINE TRANSAMINASE?

Pronunciation: [ˈɔːnɪθˌa͡ɪn tɹansˈamɪnˌe͡ɪs] (IPA)

Ornithine Transaminase is a metabolic enzyme that plays a crucial role in the breakdown of amino acids. The spelling of this word can be confusing due to its complex combination of letters. However, its phonetic transcription in IPA (ɔrˈnɪθɪn trænsˈæmɪneɪs) makes it easier to understand. The initial "or" sound is followed by the "nith" sound, and the "ine" sound is pronounced as "ih-nee." The "trans" is pronounced as "træns," and the final "ase" is pronounced as "ayz." With this transcription, one can effortlessly read and pronounce the word correctly.

ORNITHINE TRANSAMINASE Meaning and Definition

1. Ornithine transaminase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of amino acids. Specifically, it is responsible for the conversion of ornithine, an amino acid, into proline, another amino acid, through a process called transamination.

   Transamination is a chemical reaction in which an amino group is transferred from one molecule to another. In the case of ornithine transaminase, it catalyzes the transfer of the amino group from ornithine to an alpha-keto acid, resulting in the formation of proline and a corresponding alpha-keto acid.

   This enzyme is vital for the proper functioning of many biological processes. It is predominantly found in the liver, but it is also present in other tissues throughout the body. Ornithine transaminase helps regulate the levels of ornithine and proline in the body, which are essential for the biosynthesis of proteins and other important molecules.

   Deficiencies or mutations in the ornithine transaminase gene can lead to a rare metabolic disorder known as hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome (HHH syndrome). This condition causes elevated levels of ornithine in the blood and urine, leading to symptoms such as neurological impairment, developmental delays, liver problems, and increased ammonia levels. Diagnosis of HHH syndrome typically involves genetic testing and analysis of ornithine transaminase activity.

   In summary, ornithine transaminase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of amino acids, specifically ornithine and proline. It plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of proteins and is essential for proper physiological functioning.

Common Misspellings for ORNITHINE TRANSAMINASE

• irnithine transaminase
• krnithine transaminase
• lrnithine transaminase
• prnithine transaminase
• 0rnithine transaminase
• 9rnithine transaminase
• oenithine transaminase
• odnithine transaminase
• ofnithine transaminase
• otnithine transaminase
• o5nithine transaminase
• o4nithine transaminase
• orbithine transaminase
• ormithine transaminase
• orjithine transaminase
• orhithine transaminase
• ornuthine transaminase
• ornjthine transaminase
• ornkthine transaminase
• ornothine transaminase

Etymology of ORNITHINE TRANSAMINASE

The word "ornithine" comes from the Greek word "ornis" which means "bird", as ornithine was isolated from the digestive waste of birds. It is an amino acid involved in the urea cycle and is named after its avian origin.

"Transaminase" is composed of two parts: "trans", which means "across" or "beyond", and "aminase", which refers to an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an amino group (NH2) from one molecule to another. Therefore, "transaminase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an amino group across or beyond molecules. With respect to ornithine transaminase, this enzyme specifically helps in the interconversion of ornithine and glutamate in the urea cycle.