xanthine

(noun)

a precursor of uric acid found in many organs of the body

Related Terms

Examples of xanthine in the following topics:

  • Nitrogenous Waste in Birds and Reptiles: Uric Acid

    • The enzyme xanthine oxidase makes uric acid from xanthine and hypoxanthine, which in turn are produced from other purines.
    • Xanthine oxidase is a large enzyme whose active site consists of the metal, molybdenum, bound to sulfur and oxygen.

  • Some Polycyclic Heterocycles

    • Xanthine and uric acid are products of the metabolic oxidation of purines.