Aspartate transaminaseIn biochemistry, a transaminase or an aminotransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes a type of reaction between an amino acid and an α-keto acid. Specifically, this reaction involves removing the amino group from the amino acid, leaving behind an α-keto acid, and transferring it to...
(
AST) also called
serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (
SGOT) or
aspartate aminotransferase (
ASAT/AAT) is similar to
alanine transaminaseAlanine transaminase or ALT is a transaminase enzyme . It is also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase or alanine aminotransferase ....
(ALT) in that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells.
It facilitates the conversion of aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate, and vice-versa.
Two isoenzymes are present in humans.
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Aspartate transaminaseIn biochemistry, a transaminase or an aminotransferase is an enzyme that catalyzes a type of reaction between an amino acid and an α-keto acid. Specifically, this reaction involves removing the amino group from the amino acid, leaving behind an α-keto acid, and transferring it to...
(
AST) also called
serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (
SGOT) or
aspartate aminotransferase (
ASAT/AAT) is similar to
alanine transaminaseAlanine transaminase or ALT is a transaminase enzyme . It is also called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase or alanine aminotransferase ....
(ALT) in that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells.
Function
It facilitates the conversion of aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate, and vice-versa.
Isozymes
Two isoenzymes are present in humans. They have high similarity.
- GOT1
Aspartate aminotransferase, cytoplasmic is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the GOT1 gene.-Further reading:...
, the cytosolThe cytosol or intracellular fluid is the liquid found inside cells. In eukaryotes this liquid is separated by cell membranes from the contents of the organelles suspended in the cytosol, such as the mitochondrial matrix inside the mitochondrion...
ic isoenzyme derives mainly from red blood cellRed blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate body's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood. They take up oxygen in the lungs or gills and release it while squeezing through the body's capillaries. The cells are filled with hemoglobin, a...
s and heartThe heart is a muscular organ found in all vertebrates that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
.
- GOT2
Aspartate aminotransferase, mitochondrial is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the GOT2 gene.-Further reading:...
, the mitochondrialIn cell biology, a mitochondrion is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. These organelles range from 0.5–10 micrometers in diameter...
isoenzyme is predominantly present in liver.
Clinical significance
It is raised in acute liver damage. It is also present in
red blood cellRed blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate body's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood. They take up oxygen in the lungs or gills and release it while squeezing through the body's capillaries. The cells are filled with hemoglobin, a...
s and cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and kidney and brain tissue, and may be elevated due to damage to those sources as well.
AST was defined as a biochemical marker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in 1954. However the use of AST for such a diagnosis is now redundant and has been superseded by the cardiac troponins.
AST (SGOT) is commonly measured clinically as a part of diagnostic
liver function testsLiver function tests , which include liver enzymes, are groups of clinical biochemistry laboratory blood assays designed to give information about the state of a patient's liver. Most liver diseases cause only mild symptoms initially, but it is vital that these diseases be detected early. Hepatic ...
, to determine
liverThe liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals; it has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
health.
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