Aminolevulinate transaminase

In enzymology, an aminolevulinate transaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * 5-aminolevulinate + pyruvate $$\rightleftharpoons$$ 4,5-dioxopentanoate + L-alanine

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are 5-aminolevulinate and pyruvate, whereas its two products are 4,5-dioxopentanoate and L-alanine.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically the transaminases, which transfer nitrogenous groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 5-aminolevulinate:pyruvate aminotransferase. Other names in common use include aminolevulinate aminotransferase, gamma,delta-dioxovalerate, aminotransferase, gamma,delta-dioxovaleric acid transaminase, 4,5-dioxovalerate aminotransferase, 4,5-dioxovaleric acid transaminase, 4,5-dioxovaleric transaminase, 5-aminolevulinic acid transaminase, alanine-gamma,delta-dioxovalerate aminotransferase, alanine-dioxovalerate aminotransferase, alanine:4,5-dioxovalerate aminotransferase, aminolevulinic acid transaminase, dioxovalerate transaminase, L-alanine-4,5-dioxovalerate aminotransferase, L-alanine:4,5-dioxovaleric acid transaminase, L-alanine:dioxovalerate transaminase, DOVA transaminase, and 4,5-dioxovaleric acid aminotransferase. This enzyme participates in porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.