The HAL gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called histidase. Histidase breaks down the amino acid histidine, which acts as a building block for many different proteins. Histidase is active (expressed) primarily in the liver and the skin. This enzyme breaks down histidine to a molecule called urocanic acid. During digestion, urocanic acid is broken down in the liver to form another amino acid called glutamate. In the skin, urocanic acid is involved in the response to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Other Names
HIS; histidase; HSTD
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 3034
- OMIM: 609457
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
