An enzyme that catalyzes the removal of amino groups from amino acids or other compounds, releasing ammonia.
From de- + amine + -ase (enzyme suffix). Following standard enzyme nomenclature, this term crystallized in early-twentieth-century biochemistry as scientists catalogued protein-breaking enzymes.
Deaminase is like your body's recycling center for amino acids—when you have more protein than you need, this enzyme strips off the nitrogen-containing amino group so the rest can be used for energy or other molecules.
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