TRANSCARBAMYLASE Meaning and
Definition
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Transcarbamylase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the urea cycle, which is a series of biochemical reactions occurring in the liver and kidneys to remove ammonia from the body. Ammonia is a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism that needs to be converted into urea to be safely excreted by the kidneys. Transcarbamylase specifically catalyzes the conversion of carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine to citrulline, a key step in the urea cycle.
Carbamoyl phosphate, produced from ammonia and bicarbonate, acts as an intermediate in this process, while ornithine is an amino acid that serves as a substrate for the enzyme. The transcarbamylase enzyme speeds up the reaction by facilitating the transfer of the carbamoyl group from carbamoyl phosphate to ornithine, resulting in the formation of citrulline.
Deficiencies in transcarbamylase enzyme activity can cause a rare genetic disorder called hyperammonemia, specifically type I or type II citrullinemia. These conditions impair the normal functioning of the urea cycle, resulting in the accumulation of ammonia in the blood. Symptoms of these disorders can include neurological issues such as seizures, intellectual disability, and liver damage. Treatment usually involves a strict diet low in protein and the use of medications that help reduce ammonia levels in the body.
In summary, transcarbamylase is an enzyme involved in the urea cycle, aiding the conversion of carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine into citrulline, a necessary step for the elimination of ammonia from the body.
Common Misspellings for TRANSCARBAMYLASE
- rranscarbamylase
- franscarbamylase
- granscarbamylase
- yranscarbamylase
- 6ranscarbamylase
- 5ranscarbamylase
- teanscarbamylase
- tdanscarbamylase
- tfanscarbamylase
- ttanscarbamylase
- t5anscarbamylase
- t4anscarbamylase
- trznscarbamylase
- trsnscarbamylase
- trwnscarbamylase
- trqnscarbamylase
- trabscarbamylase
- tramscarbamylase
- trajscarbamylase
- trahscarbamylase
Etymology of TRANSCARBAMYLASE
The word "transcarbamylase" is derived from several components. The prefix "trans-" comes from the Latin word "trans", meaning "across" or "beyond". "Carbamyl" refers to carbamyl group, derived from the compound carbamide or urea. Finally, "-ase" is a suffix used to indicate an enzyme.
Therefore, "transcarbamylase" refers to an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of the carbamyl group from one molecule to another.
