Amino Acid Breakdown by Kidney Enzymes

There exist two different mechanisms for the breakdown of amino acids by kidney tissue. In the presence of oxygen or of a suitable hydrogen 

The imino acids decompose spontaneously in the presence of water to keto acids and ammonia  

Whereas d-amino acid oxidase seems to occur in the kidneys of all species investigated, good yields of Z-amino acid oxidase were obtained only from rat kidneys (17,57) small amounts of this enzyme are, however, present in the kidneys of other animals. 

The products of amino acid oxidase activity have no effect on blood pressure. In the alternative pathway for the amino acid breakdown by renal tissue, amino acid decarboxylases convert amino acids to the corresponding amines, some of which are powerful pressor substances. 

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