Glutamine synthetase functions

Enzymes can also undergo other side reactions under conditions that divert a chemically reactive intermediate from its usual catalytic function. Again, glutamine synthetase is an excellent example (see figure above), because its side reactions include acyl-phosphate reduction by borohydride, pyroglutamate formation, and the formation of y-glutamyl hydroxamate in the presence of hydroxylamine and arsenate. 

Experimental techniques for determining distances must be employed to establish the structure of the active site components of glutamine synthetase. Techniques that are available for these studies are x-ray crystallography, EPR, NMR, and fluorescence energy transfer. All approaches are currently being employed to study the structure and function of this metalloenzyme. 

D Eisenberg, HS Gill, GM Pfluegl, SH Rotstein (2000) Structure-function relationships of glutamine synthetases, Biochim Biophys Acta 1477(1) 122—145... 

Primary pulmonary diseases (e.g. primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive respiratory diseases) cause chronic hepatic congestion due to chronic pulmonary heart disease, possibly leading to insufficiency. Hypoxaemia as a result of acute or chronic respiratory insufficiency can impair metabolic liver functions considerably. In 40—70% of patients with cirrhosis, hypoxaemia can be found in about 50% of cases with advanced cirrhosis, a reduced diffusion capacity for CO is detectable. Furthermore, pulmonary tissue contains a high level of glutamine synthetase, so that ammonia detoxification is possible (ultimately by perivenous hepatocytes) before the blood reaches the systemic circulation. In existing pulmonary diseases, localized ammonia detoxification is impaired. 

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