urocanic acid

Pronunciation: yur'o-kan'ik as'id

Definition: an acid derived from the oxidative deamination of l-histidine; present in sweat and in dog's urine; elevated levels are observed in cases of urocanate hydratase deficiency. The cis form, resulting from exposure to UV radiation, activates suppressor T cells.

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© Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer. All Rights Reserved. Review date: Sep 19, 2016.

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