Mercapturic acid
Mercapturic Acid
Mercapturic acid (/mɛrˈkæptjʊrɪk/ 'mer-kap-tur-ik') is a type of metabolite that is produced in the body during the process of glutathione conjugation. The term "mercapturic acid" is derived from the Latin word "mercaptan," which means "to capture," and the Greek word "uric," which means "pertaining to urine." This is because mercapturic acid is often excreted in the urine.
Function
Mercapturic acid plays a crucial role in the detoxification of a variety of harmful substances, including environmental toxins, drugs, and carcinogens. It is produced when a cysteine molecule, which is a type of amino acid, binds to a toxic substance in the body. This binding process, known as conjugation, makes the toxic substance more water-soluble, allowing it to be excreted in the urine.
Related Terms
- Glutathione: A powerful antioxidant that is involved in the production of mercapturic acid.
- Metabolite: A substance that is produced during metabolism.
- Detoxification: The process of removing harmful substances from the body.
- Cysteine: An amino acid that is involved in the production of mercapturic acid.
- Conjugation: The process of binding a toxic substance to a molecule to make it more water-soluble.
See Also
- Glutathione S-transferase: An enzyme that catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione to a variety of substances, leading to the formation of mercapturic acid.
- Xenobiotic metabolism: The process by which the body breaks down and excretes foreign substances, including drugs and toxins.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mercapturic acid
- Wikipedia's article - Mercapturic acid
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