Background:

This gene belongs to the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) gene family. The encoded enzyme plays a role in nitric oxide generation by regulating cellular concentrations of methylarginines, which in turn inhibit nitric oxide synthase activity. Impairment of DDAH causes ADMA accumulation and a reduction in cGMP generation. DDAH II, the predominant DDAH isoform in endothelial cells, facilitates the induction of nitric oxide synthesis by all-trans-Retinoic acid (atRA). DDAH proteins are highly expressed in colon, kidney, stomach and liver tissues.