transzaminációt

Transzamináció, also known as aminotranszfer, is a biochemical reaction that involves the transfer of an amino group (-NH2) from an amino acid to a keto acid. This reversible process is catalyzed by a group of enzymes called aminotranszferázok, or transzaminázok. The most common coenzyme involved in this reaction is pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), a derivative of vitamin B6.

The general reaction involves an amino acid and an alpha-keto acid. The amino group from the amino acid is transferred to the alpha-keto acid, forming a new alpha-keto acid and a new amino acid. This process is fundamental in amino acid metabolism. It plays a crucial role in both the synthesis and degradation of amino acids. For instance, transamination is essential for the production of non-essential amino acids from their corresponding keto acid precursors. It is also involved in the breakdown of amino acids when their carbon skeletons are channeled into energy-producing metabolic pathways.

In humans and other animals, transaminázok are particularly important in the liver, where they are involved in the synthesis of many amino acids and in the detoxification of ammonia. Certain transaminázok, such as alanine aminotranszferáz (ALT) and aspartate aminotranszferáz (AST), are often measured in blood tests as indicators of liver damage. Elevated levels of these enzymes can suggest that liver cells have been injured and have released their contents, including the enzymes, into the bloodstream.