Ornithine
IUPAC name	2,5-Diaminopentanoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number	70-26-8
PubChem	389
MeSH	Ornithine
SMILES	C(CC(C(=O)O)N)CN
Properties
Molecular formula	C5H12N2O2
Molar mass	132.161
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references

Ornithine is an amino acid which plays a role in the urea cycle.

Role in urea cycle

Ornithine is one of the products of the action of the enzyme arginase on L-arginine, creating urea. Therefore, ornithine is a central part of the urea cycle, which allows for the disposal of excess nitrogen.

Ornithine is not an amino acid coded for by DNA, and, in that sense, is not involved in protein synthesis. However, in mammalian non-hepatic tissues, the main use of the urea cycle is in arginine biosynthesis, so as an intermediate in metabolic processes, ornithine is quite important.

Lactamization

Ornithine lactamization

It is believed to not be a part of genetic code because polypeptides containing unprotected ornithines undergo spontaneous lactamization. This proved to be a problem when ornithine was artificially incorporated in 21st amino acid systems.^{citation needed}

Other reactions

Ornithine, via the action of ornithine decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.17), is the starting point for the synthesis of polyamines such as putrescine.

In bacteria, such as E. coli, ornithine can be synthesized from L-glutamate.¹

References

1. ^ "Ornithine Biosynthesis". Retrieved on 2007-08-17.