noun
(also agmatin)
Biochemistry An amine produced by the decarboxylation of arginine during the degradation of proteins.
Systematic name: 4-aminobutylguanidine; H₂N(CH₂)₄NHC(NH)NH₂.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Independent. From German Agmatin, probably from A- (in Amino-) + g- (in Guanidin) + -ma- (in Ptomain) + -in, with insertion of -t- apparently for euphony.
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