Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is produced during catabolism of proteins. It consists of an arginine core, with one methyl group on each of the two terminal side-chain nitrogen atoms.
Dimethylation of arginine in proteins is mediated by various enzymes, including protein arginine methyltransferase 5 as part of a regulatory pathway of transcription.
SDMA has been explored as a possible biomarker for kidney disease in cats and dogs.