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Glite Dictionary
adenosine deaminase

adenosine deaminase

8.4
A protein in animals that changes the chemical adenosine into inosine
  • noun
  • /ˌædəˈnoʊsiːn dɪˈæmɪneɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : adenosina desaminasa
  • Researchers are studying the role of adenosine deaminase in immune system regulation.

Examples

  • The doctor ordered a test to measure adenosine deaminase levels in the patient's blood sample.

  • The adenosine deaminase enzyme plays a crucial role in purine metabolism.

  • Adenosine deaminase deficiency can lead to severe combined immunodeficiency in humans.

  • Researchers are studying adenosine deaminases for their potential in gene therapy.

  • Children with a genetic disorder often lack sufficient adenosine deaminase, leading to severe immunodeficiency.

  • Researchers studied the role of adenosine deaminase in breaking down adenosine to understand its effects on cell metabolism.

  • A lack of adenosine deaminase can result in a buildup of toxic metabolites in the body.

Synonyms

ADA
vsadenosine deaminase
  • Specialized
19 8.9

An enzyme in the body that breaks down adenosine into inosine and ammonia

has identical function but is the full name rather than the short form
deaminase
vsadenosine deaminase
  • Specialized
9.6

An enzyme that removes an amino group from an amino acid or molecule

is specific to one nucleoside in mammals rather than many molecules

Surface Forms

adenosine deaminase singular
adenosine deaminases plural

Morphology

adenosine + deaminase

The term is directly compositional: adenosine (a specific nucleoside) + deaminase (an enzyme that removes an amino group) yields an enzyme that removes an amino group from adenosine. This is a regular scientific noun‑noun compound formation found across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Adenosine deaminase literally says what it does: adenosine is a small molecule in cells and deaminase is an enzyme that removes an 'amino' part. So, the name refers to an enzyme that takes away an 'amino' group from adenosine, which is why we use this word today.