Arginase I (also designated liver-type arginase), which is expressed almost exclusively in the liver, catalyzes the conversion of arginine to ornithine and urea. The human arginase I gene, which maps to chromosome 6q23, encodes a 322 amino acid protein. Arginase I exists as a homotrimeric protein and contains a binuclear manganese cluster. Arginase II catalyzes the same reaction as arginase I, but differs in its tissue specificity and subcellular location. Specifically, arginase II localizes to the mitochondria. Arginase II is expressed in non-hepatic tissues, with the highest levels of expression in the kidneys, but, unlike arginase I, is not expressed in liver. The human arginase II gene, which maps to chromosome 14q24.1-q24.3, encodes a 354 amino acid protein. In addition, arginase II contains a putative amino-terminal mitochondrial localization sequence.
