Decarboxylase
Decarboxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the decarboxylation process, which is the removal of a carboxyl group from a molecule. Decarboxylases are important in the synthesis of many biochemical substances, including amino acids, lipids, and neurotransmitters.
Function[edit | edit source]
Decarboxylases play a crucial role in the metabolism of amino acids. They are responsible for the decarboxylation of amino acids, which is a step in the process of protein synthesis. This process is essential for the growth and repair of cells in the body.
In addition to their role in protein synthesis, decarboxylases are also involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, the enzyme dopa decarboxylase is involved in the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are important for mood regulation and other brain functions.
Types of Decarboxylases[edit | edit source]
There are several types of decarboxylases, each of which is specific for a certain type of molecule. Some of the most common types include:
- Amino acid decarboxylase: This type of decarboxylase is involved in the decarboxylation of amino acids. It is essential for protein synthesis and other metabolic processes.
- Ornithine decarboxylase: This enzyme is involved in the synthesis of polyamines, which are important for cell growth and division.
- Pyruvate decarboxylase: This enzyme is involved in the fermentation process, converting pyruvate to acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities in the function of decarboxylases can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, a deficiency in the enzyme histidine decarboxylase can lead to histidinemia, a rare metabolic disorder characterized by an excess of histidine in the blood.
In addition, some types of cancer cells have been found to have increased levels of certain decarboxylases, suggesting that these enzymes may play a role in the development or progression of these diseases.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Decarboxylase Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
