The FTCD gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called formimidoyltransferase-cyclodeaminase. This enzyme is found mainly in the liver, although small amounts are found in the kidneys and the testes. Formimidoyltransferase-cyclodeaminase is called a bifunctional enzyme because it performs two functions.
The first function of formimidoyltransferase-cyclodeaminase is to act as a transferase, which is an enzyme that moves (transfers) a group of atoms from one molecule to another. By doing this, the enzyme converts formiminoglutamate (FIGLU) to 5-formiminotetrahydrofolate. The amino acid glutamate, which is a building block of many proteins, is also produced during this process.
Formimidoyltransferase-cyclodeaminase also acts as a deaminase, which is an enzyme that removes a group of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms from other molecules. By doing this, the enzyme converts 5-formiminotetrahydrofolate to a different tetrahydrofolate molecule. Tetrahydrofolate molecules are involved in producing purines and pyrimidines, which are the building blocks of DNA and its chemical cousin, RNA. The tetrahydrofolates carry small molecules called one-carbon units that are needed to produce these larger molecules.
These two functions make up the final two steps in the breakdown of the amino acid histidine.
Other Names
formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase; LCHC1
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 10841
- OMIM: 606806
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
