Glutamic--pyruvic transaminase 2

Glutamic--pyruvic transaminase 2 (GPT2), also known as alanine aminotransferase 2, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the GPT2 gene. This enzyme is found predominantly in the mitochondria of cells, and plays a key role in amino acid metabolism.

Function

GPT2 is a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that exists in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial forms, GPT1 and GPT2, respectively. GPT2 participates in the gluconeogenesis, the process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates, and the urea cycle, the metabolic pathway that transforms nitrogen to urea for excretion in urine. It catalyzes the reversible transamination between alanine and 2-oxoglutarate to form pyruvate and glutamate.

Clinical significance

Elevated levels of GPT2 in the blood can indicate liver damage, such as that caused by hepatitis or alcoholism. It is also used as a diagnostic marker in the Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver.

See also

• Glutamic--pyruvic transaminase
• Alanine transaminase