Glutamine synthetase (Gl Syn) forms a homo-octamer that serves as a catalyst for the amination of glutamic acid to form glutamine. This enzyme is a marker for astrocytes, which serve as the primary site of conversion of glutamic acid to glutamine in the brain. Induction of glutamine synthetase is seen upon astrocyte cell contact with neurons. Elevated expression of glutamine synthetase in glial cells has been shown to protect neurons from degeneration due to excess glutamate. Glutamine synthetase is also present in the liver and is involved in nitrogen homeostasis. Overexpression of glutamine synthetase has been shown in primary liver cancers, indicating a potential role for glutamine synthetase in hepatocyte transformation.
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