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Α-Glucosidase
α-Glucosidase (, (systematic name α-D-glucoside glucohydrolase) is a glucosidase located in the brush border of the small intestine that acts upon α(1→4) bonds: : Hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing (1→4)-linked α-D-glucose residues with release of D-glucose This is in contrast to β-glucosidase. Terminology GO:0090599, the broad sense The Gene Ontology entry GO:0090599 represents the broad sense of "alpha-glucosidase". It is defined as "catalysis of the hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing alpha-linked alpha-D-glucose residue with release of alpha-D-glucose." In this sense, "alpha-glucosidase" can encompass a wide range of enzyme activitiess, differing by the linkage of their terminal (1→3, 1→4, or 1→6), the specific identity of their substrate (sucrose, maltose, or starch), among other aspects. See: Definition, GO Tree View. EC 3.2.1.20, the narrow sense The definition associated with Enzyme Commission number 3.2.1.20 is narrower. It requires the lin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Glycogen Debranching Enzyme
The glycogen debranching enzyme, in humans, is the protein encoded by the gene ''AGL''. This enzyme is essential for the Glycogenolysis, breakdown of glycogen, which serves as a store of glucose in the body. It has separate glucosyltransferase and glucosidase activities. Together with phosphorylases, the enzyme mobilize glucose reserves from glycogen deposits in the muscles and liver. This constitutes a major source of energy reserves in most organisms. Glycogen breakdown is highly regulated in the body, especially in the liver, by various hormones including insulin and glucagon, to maintain a homeostatic balance of blood-glucose levels. When glycogen breakdown is compromised by mutations in the glycogen debranching enzyme, metabolic diseases such as Glycogen storage disease type III can result. The two steps of glycogen breakdown, glucosyltransferase and glucosidase, are performed by a single enzyme in mammals, yeast, and some bacteria, but by two distinct enzymes in ''E. coli'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cellulase
Cellulase (; systematic name 4-β-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase) is any of several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze cellulolysis, the decomposition of cellulose and of some related polysaccharides: : Endohydrolysis of (1→4)-β-D-glucosidic linkages in cellulose, lichenin and cereal β-D-glucan The name is also used for any naturally occurring mixture or complex of various such enzymes, that act serially or synergistically to decompose cellulosic material. Cellulases break down the cellulose molecule into monosaccharides ("simple sugars") such as β-glucose, or shorter polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. Cellulose breakdown is of considerable economic importance, because it makes a major constituent of plants available for consumption and use in chemical reactions. The specific reaction involved is the hydrolysis of the 1,4-β-D-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, lichenin, and cereal beta-D-glucan, β-D-glucans. Because ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Azoospermia
Azoospermia is the medical condition of a man whose semen contains no sperm. It is associated with male infertility, but many forms are amenable to medical treatment. In humans, azoospermia affects about 1% of the male population and may be seen in up to 20% of male infertility situations in Canada. In a non-pathological context, azoospermia is also the intended result of a vasectomy. Classification Azoospermia can be classified into three major types. Many conditions listed may also cause various degrees of oligospermia rather than azoospermia. Pretesticular and testicular azoospermia are known as non-obstructive azoospermia, whereas post-testicular azoospermia is considered obstructive. Pretesticular Inadequate stimulation of normal testicles and the genital tract characterizes pretesticular azoospermia. Typically, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are low (hypogonadotropic), commensurate with inadequate stimulation of the testes to produce sperm. Examples include ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
α-glucosidase
In biochemistry, glycoside hydrolases (also called glycosidases or glycosyl hydrolases) are a class of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in complex sugars. They are extremely common enzymes, with roles in nature including degradation of biomass such as cellulose (cellulase), hemicellulose, and starch (amylase), in anti-bacterial defense strategies (e.g., lysozyme), in pathogenesis mechanisms (e.g., viral neuraminidases) and in normal cellular function (e.g., trimming mannosidases involved in ''N''-linked glycoprotein biosynthesis). Together with glycosyltransferases, glycosidases form the major catalytic machinery for the synthesis and breakage of glycosidic bonds. Occurrence and importance Glycoside hydrolases are found in essentially all domains of life. In prokaryotes, they are found both as intracellular and extracellular enzymes that are largely involved in nutrient acquisition. One of the important occurrences of glycoside hydrolases in bac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
α-glucosidase Inhibitor
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are oral anti-diabetic drugs used for diabetes mellitus type 2 that work by preventing the digestion of carbohydrates (such as starch and table sugar). Naturally occurring AGIs are found in raw plants/herbs such as cinnamon and white mulberry as well as some bacteria. Carbohydrates are normally converted into simple sugars (monosaccharides) by alpha-glucosidase enzymes present on cells lining the intestine, enabling monosaccharides to be absorbed through the intestine. Hence, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors reduce the impact of dietary carbohydrates on blood sugar. Examples and differences Examples of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include: * Acarbose – Precose or Glucobay * Miglitol – Glyset * Voglibose Even though the drugs have a similar mechanism of action, there are subtle differences between acarbose and miglitol. Acarbose is an oligosaccharide, whereas miglitol resembles a monosaccharide. Miglitol is fairly well absorbed into the bloodstrea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acarbose
Acarbose ( INN) is an anti-diabetic drug used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2 and, in some countries, prediabetes. It is a generic sold in Europe and China as Glucobay ( Bayer AG), in North America as Precose ( Bayer Pharmaceuticals), and in Canada as Prandase ( Bayer AG). Acarbose is a starch blocker. It works by inhibiting alpha glucosidase, an intestinal enzyme that releases glucose from larger carbohydrates such as starch and sucrose. It is composed of an acarviosin moiety with a maltose at the reducing terminus. It can be degraded by a number of gut bacteria. Acarbose is cheap and popular in China, but not in the U.S. One physician explains that use in the U.S. is limited because it is not potent enough to justify the side effects of diarrhea and flatulence. However, a large study concluded in 2013 that "acarbose is effective, safe and well tolerated in a large cohort of Asian patients with type 2 diabetes." A possible explanation for the differing opinions is an obs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of the body becoming unresponsive to insulin's effects. Classic symptoms include polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyuria (excessive urination), polyphagia (excessive hunger), weight loss, and blurred vision. If left untreated, the disease can lead to various health complications, including disorders of the cardiovascular system, eye, kidney, and nerves. Diabetes accounts for approximately 4.2 million deaths every year, with an estimated 1.5 million caused by either untreated or poorly treated diabetes. The major types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. The most common treatment for type 1 is insulin replacement therapy (insulin injections), while anti-diabetic medications (such as metformin and semaglutide) and lifestyle modificatio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Iminosugar
An iminosugar, also known as an iminosaccharide, is any analog of a sugar where a nitrogen atom has replaced the oxygen atom in the ring of the structure. Iminosugars are common components of plants and may be responsible for some of their medicinal properties. The first iminosugar to be isolated from a natural source, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), found in Mulberry, was reported in 1976, but few others were discovered until many years later. In terms of biochemical activity for medicinal applications, DNJ and 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (DAB, another early example of this class of compounds) are alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and were shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-viral activity. DNJ was modified to produce two derivatives now used as medicines, ''N''-hydroxyethyl-DNJ ( miglitol) for diabetes and ''N''-butyl-DNJ ( miglustat) for Gaucher's disease. Anti-cancer and anti-viral activity was subsequently observed for swainsonine—a mannose analogue—and castanospermi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
