Everything about Ornithine totally explained
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Ornithine is an
amino acid, whose structure is:
» NH2-
CH
2-CH
2-CH
2-CHNH
2-C
OOH
Role in urea cycle
Ornithine is one of the products of the action of the enzyme
arginase on L-
arginine, creating
urea. Therefore, ornithine is a central part of the
urea cycle, which allows for the disposal of excess
nitrogen.
Ornithine isn't an amino acid coded for by
DNA, and, in that sense, isn't involved in
protein synthesis. However, in mammalian non-hepatic tissues, the main use of the urea cycle is in arginine biosynthesis, so as an intermediate in metabolic processes, ornithine is quite important.
Lactamization
It is believed to not be a part of genetic code because polypeptides containing unprotected ornithines undergo spontaneous
lactamization. This proved to be a problem when ornithine was artificially incorporated in 21st amino acid systems.
Other reactions
Ornithine, via the action of
ornithine decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.17), is the starting point for the synthesis of
polyamines such as
putrescine.
In bacteria, such as
E. coli, ornithine can be synthesized from
L-glutamate.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Ornithine'.
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