Transamination
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- * Transamination is the transfer of an alpha-amino group from an alpha-amino acid to an alpha-keto acid via an aminotransferase.
- The two most important aminotransferases are:
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Alanine is quite similar to pyruvic acid, a key energy molecule.
- The key difference is ammonia, which is toxic and must be dealt with.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) catalyzes this reaction.