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Osmolytes are organic compounds affecting osmosis[1]. They are soluble in the solution within a cell. They play a role in maintaining cell volume and fluid balance. For example, when a cell swells due to external osmotic pressure, membrane channels open and allow efflux of osmolytes which carry water with them, restoring normal cell volume.
Natural osmolytes include trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), dimethylsulfoniopropionate, trimethylglycine, sarcosine and others.
References
- Review of Medical Physiology, William F. Ganong, McGraw-Hill Medical, ISBN 978-0071440400.
- "A Backbone-Based Theory of Protein folding" Rose et al. PNAS November 7, 2006 vol 103 no. 45 16623-16633
- Yancey, P.H. Organic osmolytes as compatible, metabolic and counteracting cytoprotectants in high osmolarity and other stresses.J. Exp. Biol. (2005), 208:2819-30.
- Holthauzen, L.M.F., and Bolen, D.W. Mixed osmolytes: the degree to which one osmolyte affects the protein stabilizing ability of another. Prot. Sci. (2007), 16:293-8.
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