What is Transamination Reaction ?

Most common amino acids can be converted into the corresponding keto acid by 'transamination. In this reaction, there is a transfer of a-amino group: of amino acid to keto acid (keto group present next to the carboxyl group) -R-CO-COOH. As a result, the amino acid becomes a-keto acid and the keto acid is converted into amino acid, as

Figure: Transamination reaction

a-ketoglutarate plays a significant role in amino acid metabolism by accepting the amino groups from other Amino acids thus forming glutamate. The glutamate formed can be transamination is catalyzed by aminotransJerases (transaminases).