Definition

1. Verb (Biochemistry):
   • To undergo a transamination reaction: To transfer an amino group (-NH₂) from one molecule (typically an amino acid) to another molecule (typically a keto acid), resulting in the conversion of the amino acid into a keto acid and the keto acid into a new amino acid.
   • To change by transferring an amino group: To cause this biochemical transformation to occur.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Intransitive): Describing the process itself.

  • In the liver, amino groups from excess protein can transaminate to form other compounds.
  • The enzyme facilitates the reaction where the molecules transaminate.

• Verb (Transitive): Describing the action of causing the transfer.

  • The enzyme aspartate aminotransferase helps transaminate aspartate to oxaloacetate.
  • This metabolic pathway is used to transaminate specific amino acids for energy production.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Scientific Context: The term is almost exclusively used in biochemistry, physiology, and nutrition. It describes a key step in amino acid metabolism and nitrogen disposal.
• Process vs. Action: The verb can describe the passive process ("the group transaminates") or the active enzymatic action ("the enzyme transaminates the acid").

Variants and Related Words

• Transamination (n): The biochemical reaction or process itself.
  • Transamination is crucial for synthesizing non-essential amino acids.
• Aminotransferase (n): The class of enzymes that catalyze transamination reactions (also called transaminases).
  • Alanine aminotransferase is an important liver enzyme.

Synonyms

• Transfer an amino group: (A descriptive phrase, not a single-word synonym in technical contexts.)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Krebs cycle / Urea cycle: Metabolic cycles where transamination plays a critical role in linking protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
• Deaminate: A related but different process involving the removal of an amino group as ammonia, often following transamination.

Verb

1. undergo transfer from one compound to another
   • amino groups can transaminate
2. change (an amino group) by transferring it from one compound to another