NAGS gene

Normal Function

The NAGS gene provides instructions for making the enzyme N-acetylglutamate synthase. This enzyme is needed for the urea cycle, a series of reactions that occurs in liver cells. The urea cycle breaks down excess nitrogen, which is made when protein is used by the body, into a compound called urea. Urea is removed from the body in urine. Removing the excess nitrogen prevents it from accumulating in the form of ammonia, which is toxic at high levels, especially to the brain.

N-acetylglutamate synthase controls the production of a compound called N-acetylglutamate in the mitochondria, the energy-producing centers in cells. N-acetylglutamate is necessary to turn on the enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I. This enzyme controls the first step of the urea cycle, in which excess nitrogen compounds are incorporated into the cycle to be broken down.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency

More than 40 NAGS gene mutations have been identified in people with N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency, which is characterized by abnormally high levels of ammonia in the blood. This condition can cause extreme tiredness (lethargy), difficulty feeding, problems controlling breathing or body temperature, and seizures in infancy. Affected adults can have episodes of vomiting, confusion, headaches, or other neurological problems.

Most NAGS gene mutations that cause N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the N-acetylglutamate synthase enzyme. It is thought that the abnormal enzyme cannot function properly. Other mutations result in production of an abnormally short N-acetylglutamate synthase enzyme or prevent any enzyme from being produced at all.

When the function of the N-acetylglutamate synthase enzyme is reduced or eliminated, N-acetylglutamate is produced in lower-than-normal amounts, or not at all. This shortage of N-acetylglutamate prevents carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I from being turned on, which prevents the urea cycle from starting. As a result, excess nitrogen is not converted to urea for removal, and ammonia accumulates in the blood. The buildup of ammonia damages tissues in the brain and causes the neurological problems and other signs and symptoms of N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

• ARGA
• MGC133025
• NAGS_HUMAN

Where this page came from

This page was imported from MedlinePlus Genetics, National Library of Medicine. Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine; its genetics summaries and the illustrations credited to the library are in the public domain. Pictures credited to others are not copied.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.