InterPro domain: IPR000796

Aspartate aminotransferase is important for the metabolism of amino acids and Krebs-cycle related organic acids. In plants, it is involved in nitrogen metabolism and in aspects of carbon and energy metabolism. The enzyme catalyses the reaction: L-aspartate + 2-oxoglutarate = oxaloacetate + L-glutamate Aminotransferases share certain mechanistic features with other pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent enzymes, such as the covalent binding of the pyridoxal-phosphate group to a lysine residue [ 1 ]. This family includes some aromatic-amino-acid aminotransferases too.

1. Thermostable aspartate aminotransferase from a thermophilic Bacillus species. Gene cloning, sequence determination, and preliminary x-ray characterization. J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2567-72