Target type: molecularfunction
Catalysis of the reaction: L-arginine + H2O = L-ornithine + urea. [EC:3.5.3.1]
Arginase activity refers to the enzymatic hydrolysis of L-arginine, a crucial amino acid, into L-ornithine and urea. This reaction plays a pivotal role in several biological processes, including the urea cycle, nitric oxide synthesis, and immune regulation.
The urea cycle is a metabolic pathway responsible for detoxifying ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea, a less toxic compound excreted in urine. Arginase acts as a key enzyme in this cycle, converting L-arginine into L-ornithine, which is further metabolized to urea.
In nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, arginase competes with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for L-arginine as a substrate. Arginase activity can modulate NO production, a crucial signaling molecule involved in various physiological processes, including vasodilation, neurotransmission, and immune responses.
Furthermore, arginase is involved in immune regulation. Arginase expression is elevated in immune cells, such as macrophages, and plays a role in suppressing T-cell proliferation and promoting immune tolerance.
The molecular function of arginase activity is essential for maintaining nitrogen homeostasis, regulating NO synthesis, and modulating immune responses. Its activity is tightly regulated by various factors, including substrate availability, post-translational modifications, and cellular signaling pathways.'
"
| Protein | Definition | Taxonomy |
|---|---|---|
| Arginase-1 | An arginase-1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:WCB, UniProtKB:P05089] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Arginase-2, mitochondrial | An arginase-2, mitochondrial that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P78540] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Compound | Definition | Classes | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-aminoimidazole | 2-aminoimidazole: from catabolism of arginine | ||
| n(omega)-hydroxyarginine | N(5)-[(Z)-amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]-L-ornithine : An N(5)-[amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]-L-ornithine in which the double bond has Z-configuration. N(omega)-hydroxyarginine: can cause vasorelaxation of bovine intrapulmonary artery; structure given in first source | amino acid zwitterion; N(5)-[(E)-amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]ornithine; N(5)-[(hydroxyamino)(imino)methyl]ornithine; N(5)-[(Z)-amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]ornithine; N(5)-[amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]-L-ornithine; N(5)-[amino(hydroxyimino)methyl]ornithine; N(omega)-hydroxy-L-arginine | |
| Nomega-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine | L-alpha-amino acid | ||
| 3,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene | 3,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxystilbene: demethyl derivative of isorhapontigenin; structure in first source; a Syk kinase inhibitor; found in heartwood of FABACEAE; inhibitor of photosynthesis in spinach chloroplasts; may be inhibitor of plant growth; RN given refers to (E)-isomer piceatannol : A stilbenol that is trans-stilbene in which one of the phenyl groups is substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 3 and 4, while the other phenyl group is substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 3 and 5. | catechols; polyphenol; resorcinols; stilbenol | antineoplastic agent; apoptosis inducer; geroprotector; hypoglycemic agent; plant metabolite; protein kinase inhibitor; tyrosine kinase inhibitor |
| (S)-2-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid | (S)-2-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid : L-Norleucine substituted at C-6 with a borono group. | non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid; organoboron compound | |
| 2-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid |