What is "adenosine deaminase"

n. an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia; "ADA deficiency can lead to one form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease"; "the gene encoding ADA was one of the earlier human genes to be isolated and cloned for study" [syn: ADA]

Adenosine Deaminase (also known as adenosine aminohydrolase, or ADA) is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. It is needed for the breakdown of adenosine from food and for the turnover of nucleic acids in tissues.

Its primary function in humans is the development and maintenance of the immune system. However, the full physiological role of ADA is not yet completely understood.