glutamate decarboxylasemedical dictionary


<cell biology> A pyridoxal-phosphate protein that catalyses the alpha-decarboxylation of l-glutamic acid to form gamma-aminobutyric acid and carbon dioxide. The enzyme is found in bacteria and in invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. It is the rate-limiting enzyme in determining gaba levels in normal nervous tissues. The brain enzyme also acts on l-cysteate, l-cysteine sulfinate, and l-aspartate.

Chemical name: L-Glutamate-1-carboxy-lyase

Registry number: EC

(12 Dec 1998)