Transaminases

Transaminases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of an amino group from one molecule to another. They are vital for the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Transaminases are found in many tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart, and skeletal muscles.

Function

Transaminases play a crucial role in amino acid metabolism. They facilitate the transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid to form new amino acids. This process is known as transamination.

The two most clinically important transaminases are Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST), which are commonly measured as part of liver function tests. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate liver damage or disease.

Clinical significance

Measurement of transaminase levels in the blood is commonly used in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Elevated levels of transaminases can indicate liver damage, as these enzymes are released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged or die.

In addition to liver diseases, elevated transaminase levels can also be seen in conditions affecting the heart or muscles, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or myopathy (muscle disease).

See also

• Liver function tests
• Amino acid metabolism
• Transamination

References

Transaminases Resources
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