Glutaminase-Asparaginase

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein|Enzyme|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A dual function enzyme derived from bacterial Acinetobacter glutaminasificans used as an adjuvant in chemotherapy. Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase (AGA) possesses both L-glutaminase and L-asparaginase activities, capable of hydrolyzing glutamine and asparagine, thereby disturbing nitrogen supplies for dividing cells. When co-administered with alkylating agent melphalan, which utilizes amino acid transport systems for cellular uptake, depletion of glutamine by AGA appeared to facilitate melphalan uptake and enhance its cytotoxicity.