Branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase EC 2.6.1.42

Takes the nitrogen off leucine and hands it to α-ketoglutarate. The same enzyme works for all three branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine.

Mitochondrial matrix

in depth

ΔG°′: not documented
Location: Mitochondrial matrix

Fun fact

This first enzyme is abundant above all in muscle, not in the liver. That is why the branched-chain amino acids are the only ones muscle breaks down on its own, without sending them to the liver first.

Nelson, D. L. & Cox, M. M. (2021). Lehninger. Principios de bioquímica, 8.ª ed., ch. 18

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Branched-chain amino acidsBranched-chain amino acid aminotransferase

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