Branched chain aminotransferase is an aminotransferase enzyme which acts upon branched-chain amino acids

Branched-chain amino acids

A branched-chain amino acid is an amino acid having aliphatic side-chains with a branch...

. It uses largely α-ketoglutarate in forming branched chain α-keto acids and glutamate.

The structure to the right of branched chain aminotransferase was found using X-ray diffraction with a resolution of 2.20 Å. The branched chain aminotransferase found in this image was isolated from mycobacteria. This protein is made up of two identical polypeptide chains. The protein is a total of 372 residues(1). As can be seen in the image, the protein is made of helices and beta sheets.

The biological function of branched chain aminotransferases is to catalyse the synthesis of the branched chain amino acids

Branched Chain Amino Acids

Branched Chain Amino Acids refers to specific amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine that have side-chains that bind the carbon atoms to multiple carbon atoms, which sets them apart from other amino acids. The branched chain amino acids were scientifically discovered in the lab and found to be...

 leucine

Leucine

Leucine is a branched-chain α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2CH2. Leucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid due to its aliphatic isobutyl side chain. It is encoded by six codons and is a major component of the subunits in ferritin, astacin and other 'buffer' proteins...

, isoleucine

Isoleucine

Isoleucine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCHCH2CH3. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Its codons are AUU, AUC and AUA....

, and valine

Valine

Valine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2. L-Valine is one of 20 proteinogenic amino acids. Its codons are GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG. This essential amino acid is classified as nonpolar...

(2).

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