| aspalasoma | An obsolete term for a malformed foetus with eventration at the lower part of the abdomen, presenting separate openings for intestine, bladder, and sexual organs. Origin: G. Aspalax, a mole + soma, body (05 Mar 2000) |
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| aspalathus | <botany> A thorny shrub yielding a fragrant oil. A genus of plants of the natural order Leguminosae. The species are chiefly natives of the Cape of Good Hope. Origin: L. Aspalathus, Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| asparaginase | <drug, enzyme> An enzyme that hydrolyses L asparagine to L aspartate and ammonia that is used as an antitumour agent especially against lymphosarcoma and lymphatic leukaemia. (18 Nov 1997) |
| asparagine | <amino acid> Is a nonessential amino acid that was first isolated from sprouting soybeans. Structurally similar to aspartic acid, with an additional amino group on the main carbon skeleton, Asparaginine assists in the metabolic functioning of brain and nervous system cells. When the extra amino group is removed by the brain, the resulting aspartic acid acts as an excitatory transmitter. Aspartic acid has been used to help with fatigue and depression and may be a mild immune stimulant as well. In the body, removal of asparaginines extra amino group allows it to be used interchangeably with aspartic acid in basic protein building. It is easily supplied in normal diets and no toxic effects are known. (22 May 1997) |
| asparagine permease | <chemical> Has high homology with the family of basic and aromatic amino acid permeases found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes; 497 amino acids, mw 37-54 kD; from salmonella enterica; genbank u04851 Synonym: l-asparagine permease, ansp gene product (26 Jun 1999) |
| asparagine synthetase | asparagine ligase |
| asparagine-N-glycosyltransferase | <enzyme> Involved in glycoprotein biosynthesis Registry number: EC 2.4.1.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| asparagine-oxo-acid aminotransferase | <enzyme> Consider also EC 2.6.1.45, serine-glyoxylate aminotransferase, which also acts on asparagine Registry number: EC 2.6.1.14 Synonym: asparagine transaminase (26 Jun 1999) |
| asparaginic acid | <amino acid> One of the twenty naturally occurring amino acids. Has the following chemical characteristics: pKa1 pKa2 pKa3 pI Water Solubility (30deg C)2.09-3.86 9.82 2.97 0.6 (09 Oct 1997) |
| asparaginyl | The aminoacyl radical of asparagine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| asparagus | 1. <botany> A genus of perennial plants belonging to the natural order Liliaceae, and having erect much branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers. Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species cultivated in gardens. 2. The young and tender shoots of A. Officinalis, which form a valuable and well-known article of food. This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people. <zoology> Asparagus beetle, a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi) injurious to asparagus. Origin: L, fr. Gr,; cf. To swell with sap or juice, and Zend paregha prong, sprout, Pers. Asparag, Lith. Spurgas sprout, Skr. Sphurj to swell. Perh. The Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. Sparrowgrass. (01 Mar 1998) |
| asparmide | <amino acid> Is a nonessential amino acid that was first isolated from sprouting soybeans. Structurally similar to aspartic acid, with an additional amino group on the main carbon skeleton, Asparaginine assists in the metabolic functioning of brain and nervous system cells. When the extra amino group is removed by the brain, the resulting aspartic acid acts as an excitatory transmitter. Aspartic acid has been used to help with fatigue and depression and may be a mild immune stimulant as well. In the body, removal of asparaginines extra amino group allows it to be used interchangeably with aspartic acid in basic protein building. It is easily supplied in normal diets and no toxic effects are known. (22 May 1997) |
| aspartame | <chemical> Trademark for Asp Phe Methyl Ester, an artificial sweetener. (18 Nov 1997) |
| aspartase | <enzyme> An enzyme that catalyses the conversion of aspartic acid to ammonia and fumaric acid in plants and some microorganisms. Chemical name: L-Aspartate ammonia-lyase Registry number: EC 4.3.1.1 (12 Dec 1998) |
| aspartate | <amino acid> A nonessential amino acid that plays a critical part of the enzyme in the liver that transfers nitrogen-containing amino groups, either in building new proteins and amino acids or in breaking down proteins and amino acids for energy and detoxifying the nitrogen in the form of urea. Depleted levels of aspartic acid may occur temporarily within certain tissues under stress, but, because the body is able to make its own aspartic acid to replace any depletion, deficiency states do not occur. Aspartic acid is abundant in plants, especially in sprouting seeds. In protein, it exists mainly in the form of its amide, asparagine. The popular sweetener Aspartame is a combination of aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartic acid is considered nontoxic. (15 Nov 1997) |