Description
Arginase is a manganese-containing enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea. It is the final enzyme of the urea cycle. At least two isoforms of mammalian arginase exist (types I and II) which differ in their tissue distribution, subcellular localization, immunologic cross-reactivity and physiologic function. The type II isoform is located in the mitochondria and expressed in extra-hepatic tissues, especially kidney. It is thought to play a role in nitric oxide and polyamine metabolism