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. 2011;2(1):8-23.

Argininosuccinate synthase: at the center of arginine metabolism

Ricci J Haines  1 , Laura C Pendleton, Duane C Eichler
Affiliations

Argininosuccinate synthase: at the center of arginine metabolism

Ricci J Haines et al. Int J Biochem Mol Biol. 2011.

Abstract

The levels of L-arginine, a cationic, semi-essential amino acid, are often controlled within a cell at the level of local availability through biosynthesis. The importance of this temporal and spatial control of cellular L-arginine is highlighted by the tissue specific roles of argininosuccinate synthase (argininosuccinate synthetase) (EC 6.3.4.5), as the rate-limiting step in the conversion of L-citrulline to L-arginine. Since its discovery, the function of argininosuccinate synthase has been linked almost exclusively to hepatic urea production despite the fact that alternative pathways involving argininosuccinate synthase were defined, such as its role in providing arginine for creatine and for polyamine biosynthesis. However, it was the discovery of nitric oxide that meaningfully extended our understanding of the metabolic importance of non-hepatic argininosuccinate synthase. Indeed, our knowledge of the number of tissues that manage distinct pools of arginine under the control of argininosuccinate synthase has expanded significantly.

Keywords: Argininosuccinate synthase; arginase; arginine metabolism; arginine recycling; nitric oxide; urea cycle.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
De Novo biosynthetic pathway for arginine.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Urea cycle
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Citrulline-nitric oxide cycle
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Synthesis of arginine by kidney.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Synthesis of guanidinoacetate by the kidney.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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