How Do You Spell UROCANASE?

Pronunciation: [jˈʊ͡əɹəkˌane͡ɪs] (IPA)

Urocanase is a biological enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of urocanic acid to ammonia and 4-imidazolone-5-propionic acid. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The first syllable "u-ro" is pronounced as "juːroʊ", where "j" represents the "y" sound in "you". The second syllable "ca" is pronounced as "keɪ". The final syllable "nase" is pronounced as "neɪz", where "z" represents the "s" sound in "nase". So, "Urocanase" is pronounced as "juːroʊkeɪneɪz".

UROCANASE Meaning and Definition

1. Urocanase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of the amino acid histidine. It is specifically responsible for the conversion of the compound urocanic acid into imidazolone propionic acid. This enzymatic activity occurs primarily in the liver, but is also found in other tissues of the body.

   Urocanase is a critical component of the histidine metabolic pathway, as it helps to ensure the proper breakdown and utilization of histidine residues from dietary sources. Histidine is an essential amino acid that is not produced by the human body and must be obtained through the diet. Once ingested, histidine is broken down through a series of enzymatic reactions, with urocanase playing a key role in one of these steps.

   The conversion of urocanic acid to imidazolone propionic acid is a crucial step in the histidine metabolism pathway, as it allows for the production of other important compounds in the body, such as glutamate and glutamine. These compounds are involved in various physiological processes, including energy production and neurotransmitter synthesis.

   Since urocanase is essential for the proper breakdown and utilization of histidine, deficiencies in this enzyme can lead to a condition known as urocanic aciduria. This rare genetic disorder is characterized by the accumulation of urocanic acid in the body, which can result in neurological symptoms and other health complications.

   In summary, urocanase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of histidine, facilitating the conversion of urocanic acid into imidazolone propionic acid.

Common Misspellings for UROCANASE

• urocwanase

Etymology of UROCANASE

The word "urocanase" is derived from the combining forms "ur(o)-", which refers to urine, and "-canase", which indicates an enzyme. Urocanase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of a compound called urocanic acid, which is present in the urine of animals. The term was coined based on the connection between the enzyme's function and its presence in urine.