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Arginase

Meaning

Arginase is a metalloenzyme that catalyzes the final step of the urea cycle, converting the amino acid L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea. This enzyme plays a crucial role in nitrogen homeostasis by facilitating the detoxification of ammonia, primarily in the liver. Clinically, arginase activity is relevant to vascular health and nitric oxide (NO) production, as L-arginine is a shared substrate for both arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS).