L-Arginase from bovine liver (C15-1289-784)

General description

L-arginase is also called as L-arginine amidinohydrolase. It exists in two forms, such as arginase-1 and arginase-2. Arginase-1 is present in liver cells and arginase-2 is seen usually in extrahepatic tissues like, kidney, brain, skeletal muscle, small intestine and the lactating mammary gland. Arginase -2 is mapped to human chromosome 14q24.1−24.3.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-Arginase is the major degradative enzyme for arginine; converts arginine to ornithine; deficiency is associated with spasticity and motor dysfunction.

L-arginase hydrolyze L-arginine into L-ornithine and urea, which is the last step of the urea cycle in the liver of ureotelic species. Arginase plays a major role in the mammalian immune system and the enzyme participates in several aspects of inflammation.

Unit Definition

One unit will cause the hydrolysis of 1.0 μmole of L-arginine per minute at pH 9.5 and 37 °C.