aspartate transaminase
The definitions used in this glossary of terminology either have been provided by the authors of the articles, or have been extracted wholly or in part, or paraphrased from the following sources: The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine, Charles B. Clayman, MD, Medical Editor, Random House, New York, 1989; Biotechnology from A to Z, 2d Edition, William Bains, Oxford University Press, New York, New York, 2002; A Dictionary of Genetics, 6th Edition, Robert C. King and William D. Stansfield, Oxford University Press, New York, New York, 2002; Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 29th and 30th Editions, W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 2000, 2003; Genes VII, Benjamin Lewin, Oxford University Press, New York, New York, 2000; The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, Volumes I and II, Stacey L. Blachford, Ed., Thomson Learning, New York, New York, 2002; The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, Massachusetts, 1997; Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3rd Edition, Bruce Alberts, et al., Garland Publishing, 1994; The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged Edition, 1966; Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, 1991.
DEFINITION:
- aspartate transaminase
-
An enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to a-ketoglutarate to form glutamate and oxaloacetate, with pyridoxal phosphate required as a cofactor. The enzyme is present in most eukaryotic cells, occurring as distinct isozymes in mitochondria and cytosol. Both isozymes participate in the malate-aspartate shuttle, and in the liver the reaction transfers excess metabolic nitrogen into aspartate for disposal via the urea cycle. The serum level of aspartate transaminase (SGOT) and that of other transaminases are frequently elevated in a variety of disorders causing tissue damage (e.g., myocardial infarction). Abbreviated AST and ASAT. Called also aspartate aminotransferase and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT).
Used in 5 Term definitions
Used in 5 Term definitions