| glycine-succinate cycle | A series of metabolic steps in which glycine is condensed with succinyl-CoA and is then oxidised to CO2 and H2O with regeneration of the succinyl-CoA; important in the synthesis of d-aminolevulinic acid and in the metabolism of red blood cells. Synonym: Shemin cycle. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| glycine synthase | A complex of several proteins that catalyze the reversible reaction of glycine with tetrahydrofolate to produce CO2, NH3, and N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate; a deficiency of this enzyme (or one of its subunits) will result in nonketotic hyperglycinaemia. Synonym: glycine synthase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glycine transamidinase | <enzyme> An enzyme catalyzing the transfer of an amidine group from l-arginine to glycine, forming guanidinoacetate and l-ornithine; an important reaction in creatine synthesis; it can also act on canavanine. Synonym: glycine transamidinase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glycine-trna ligase | <enzyme> An enzyme that activates glycine with its specific transfer RNA. Chemical name: Glycine:tRNA(Gly) ligase (AMP-forming) Registry number: EC 6.1.1.14 (12 Dec 1998) |
| active | Characterised by action, not passive, not expectant. (18 Nov 1997) |
| active acetate | <enzyme> Condensation product of coenzyme A and acetic acid, symbolised as CoAS~COCH3; intermediate in transfer of two-carbon fragment, notably in its entrance into the tricarboxylic acid cycle and in fatty acid synthesis. This coenzyme plays a huge role in intermediary metabolism, in which cells synthesise, break down or use nutrient molecules for energy production, growth, etc. Acetyl-coenzyme A synthase is found in bacteria and plants and catalyses the reaction in which acetate enters metabolic pathways and forms acetyl-coenzyme A. Synonym: acetyl-coenzyme A, active acetate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active aldehyde | Any aldehyde derivative of thiamin pyrophosphate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active anaphylaxis | Reaction following inoculation of antigen in a subject previously sensitised to the specific antigen, in contrast to passive anaphylaxis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active biomass | <cell biology> The amount of a given culture that is actively growing. (06 May 1997) |
| active carbon dioxide | Activated carbon dioxide, a complex of N-carboxybiotin (biotin + CO2) and an enzyme; the form in which carbon dioxide is added to other molecules in carboxylations; e.g., to methylcrotonyl-CoA to form beta-methylglutaconyl in the catabolism of leucine, and to acetyl-CoA to form malonyl-CoA. See: acetyl-CoA carboxylase. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active caries | Microbial-induced lesions of teeth that are increasing in size. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active centre | The part of a macromolecule at which a substrate or ligand, upon binding, produces biological activity; for an enzyme, this is the catalytic centre, the site on an enzyme that catalyses the reaction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active congestion | Congestion due to an increased flow of arterial blood to a part. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active electrode | A small electrode whose exciting effect is used to stimulate or record potentials from a localised area. Synonym: exciting electrode, localizing electrode, therapeutic electrode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| active formaldehyde | A hydroxymethyl derivative of tetrahydrofolate or thiamin pyrophosphate, N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofo late. (05 Mar 2000) |