AGXT2: a promiscuous aminotransferase.

Abstract

Alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 (AGXT2) is a multifunctional mitochondrial aminotransferase that was first identified in 1978. The physiological importance of AGXT2 was largely overlooked for three decades because AGXT2 is less active in glyoxylate metabolism than AGXT1, the enzyme that is deficient in primary hyperoxaluria type I. Recently, several novel functions of AGXT2 have been 'rediscovered' in the setting of modern genomic and metabolomic studies. It is now apparent that AGXT2 has multiple substrates and products and that altered AGXT2 activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular, renal, neurological, and hematological diseases. This article reviews the biochemical properties and physiological functions of AGXT2, its unique role at the intersection of key mitochondrial pathways, and its potential as a drug target.

• Authors: Roman N Rodionov, Natalia Jarzebska, Norbert Weiss, Steven R Lentz
• Journal: Trends in pharmacological sciences (Trends Pharmacol Sci) Vol. 35 Issue 11 Pg. 575-82 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1873-3735 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25294000 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Transaminases
• Alanine-glyoxylate transaminase

Topics

• Animals
• Humans
• Transaminases (genetics, metabolism)