Aspartate Aminotransferase: The Consequences of Alanine being Used
An enzyme called aspartate aminotransferase, (AST), is responsible for the formation of glutamate from an amino group that has been transferred from alanine (Gokhale et.al., 2016). This process is an integral part of urea cycling, responsible for eliminating toxic ammonia from our bodies (Srinivasan, et al. 2021). Alanine is a small molecule that fits into the active sites of AST. It is essential for the enzyme’s reaction to occur. AST may use alanine as a source of significant ammonia removal, thereby reducing the chance of toxicity.
Alanine found in the active sites of AST may also increase enzyme efficiency and speed up the reaction (Gokhale et.al., 2016). This increased efficiency may increase efficiency in the urea cycle, reduce metabolic disorders, and help to prevent other diseases associated with ammonia toxicemia. Alanine, in addition to reducing the energy needed for the reaction can also be beneficial. Cont….