- arginine
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/ahr"jeuh neen', -nuyn', -nin/, n. Biochem.an essential amino acid, C6H14N4O2: the free amino acid increases insulin secretion and is converted to urea in the liver by arginase. Abbr.: Arg; Symbol: R[1885-90; < G Arginin, a name unexplained by its originators]
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One of the essential amino acids, particularly abundant in histones and other proteins associated with nucleic acids.It plays an important metabolic role in the synthesis of urea, the principal form in which mammals excrete nitrogen compounds. Arginine is used in medicine and biochemical research, in pharmaceuticals, and as a dietary supplement.* * *
an amino acid obtainable by hydrolysis of many common proteins but particularly abundant in protamines and histones, proteins associated with nucleic acids. First isolated from animal horn (1895), arginine plays an important role in mammals in the synthesis of urea, the principal form in which these species excrete nitrogen. Arginine is one of several nonessential amino acids for adult mammals; i.e., they can synthesize it from glutamic acid and do not require dietary sources.* * *
Universalium. 2010.