verb
- to remove an amino group from a molecule, especially a protein or amino acid
Usage: biochemistry; also spelled deaminate
Examples
- Enzymes deaminize amino acids during protein metabolism.
- The liver deaminizes excess amino acids to produce urea.
- When the body deaminizes glutamine, it releases ammonia.
- Certain bacteria can deaminize histamine in food.
- The deaminization process is essential for nitrogen disposal in cells.