Asymmetric dimethylarginine
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (Pronunciation: a-sym-met-ric di-meth-yl-ar-gi-nine) is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the human body. It is a derivative of the amino acid L-arginine and is primarily involved in the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis.
Etymology
The term "Asymmetric Dimethylarginine" is derived from its chemical structure. The prefix "Asymmetric" refers to the uneven distribution of the methyl groups on the arginine molecule. "Dimethyl" indicates the presence of two methyl groups, and "Arginine" is the amino acid from which it is derived.
Function
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) inhibits the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a crucial role in vascular health. It does this by competing with L-arginine for the active site of the enzyme Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS). High levels of ADMA in the body can lead to reduced NO production, which can result in vascular disease.
Related Terms
- L-arginine: The amino acid from which ADMA is derived.
- Nitric Oxide: A molecule whose synthesis is regulated by ADMA.
- Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS): The enzyme that synthesizes nitric oxide from L-arginine.
- Vascular disease: A condition that can result from reduced NO production due to high levels of ADMA.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Asymmetric dimethylarginine
- Wikipedia's article - Asymmetric dimethylarginine
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