Deamination

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Deamination is the process that removes an Amine group from a molecule.


Deamination of Nucleotide Bases:

Removing an amine group from a base can alter its structure.


Deamination of Cytosine transforms it into Uracil

Deamination of Adenine transforms it into Hypoxanthine

Deamination of Guanine transforms it into Thymine [1]




Deamination of Amino Acids:

Involves removing NH2 (amino group) from an amino acid and forming ammonia (NH3) by reacting the amino acid with oxygen [2].

The organic acid containing an oxygen with a double bond is usually respired.

Ammonia is a toxic substance to the body and is converted quickly into urea which is less harmful.  The kidneys remove urea from the body.

References

  1. http://www.bath.ac.uk/bio-sci/oer/DNA%20damage%20deamination.htm
  2. Boyle M. (2008) Biology, 3rd edition, London: Collins. p242