ARGINASE

Uses

Biochemical research.

Definition

An enzyme that produces ornithine and urea by splitting arginine. It is found in liver.

General Description

L-arginase is also called as L-arginine amidinohydrolase. It exists in two forms, such as arginase-1 and arginase-2. Arginase-1 is present in liver cells and arginase-2 is seen usually in extrahepatic tissues like, kidney, brain, skeletal muscle, small intestine and the lactating mammary gland. Arginase -2 is mapped to human chromosome 14q24.1?24.3.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-arginase hydrolyze L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea, which is the last step of the urea cycle in the liver of ureotelic species. Arginase plays a major role in the mammalian immune system and the enzyme participates in several aspects of inflammation.