Reviewed March 2007
What is the official name of the ASL gene?
The official name of this gene is “argininosuccinate lyase.”
ASL is the gene's official symbol. The ASL gene is also known by other names, listed below.
What is the normal function of the ASL gene?
The ASL gene provides instructions for making the protein argininosuccinate lyase. This enzyme participates in the urea cycle, a series of reactions that occur in liver cells. The urea cycle processes excess nitrogen, generated when protein is used by the body, to make a compound called urea that is excreted by the kidneys. Excreting the excess nitrogen prevents it from accumulating in the form of ammonia.
The specific role of the ASL enzyme is to start the reaction in which the amino acid arginine, a building block of proteins, is produced from argininosuccinate, the molecule that carries the waste nitrogen collected earlier in the urea cycle. The arginine is later broken down into urea, which is excreted, and ornithine, which restarts the urea cycle.
How are changes in the ASL gene related to health conditions?
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argininosuccinic aciduria - caused by mutations in the ASL gene
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More than 30 different mutations in the ASL gene have been identified worldwide. In some cases, a short sequence of DNA is deleted from the gene. Other mutations replace one protein building block (amino acid) with another amino acid in the argininosuccinate lyase enzyme. In people of Arab descent, two common mutations replace the amino acid glutamine with a premature stop signal at position 116 (written as Gln116Ter or Q116X) or position 354 (written as Gln354Ter or Q354X) in the argininosuccinate lyase enzyme. Mutations in the ASL gene may result in an argininosuccinate lyase enzyme that is unstable or the wrong shape.
The shape of an enzyme affects its ability to control a chemical reaction. If the argininosuccinate lyase enzyme is misshapen or missing, it cannot fulfill its role in the urea cycle. Excess nitrogen is not converted to urea for excretion, and ammonia accumulates in the body. Ammonia is toxic, especially to the nervous system, so this accumulation causes neurological problems and other signs and symptoms of argininosuccinic aciduria.
Where is the ASL gene located?
Cytogenetic Location: 7cen-q11.2
Molecular Location on chromosome 7: base pairs 65,178,210 to 65,195,764
The ASL gene is located on chromosome 7 between the centromere (junction of the long and short arm) and the long (q) arm at position 11.2.
More precisely, the ASL gene is located from base pair 65,178,210 to base pair 65,195,764 on chromosome 7.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook.
Where can I find additional information about ASL?
You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about ASL helpful.
- Educational resources - Information pages
- Gene Tests
- DNA tests ordered by healthcare professionals
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.
- PubMed
- Recent literature
- OMIM
- Genetic disorder catalog
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What other names do people use for the ASL gene or gene products?
- Argininosuccinase
- Arginosuccinase
- arginosuccinate lyase
- ARLY_HUMAN
Where can I find general information about genes?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
What glossary definitions help with understanding ASL?
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for
professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about
a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified
healthcare professional.
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.