Branched chain amino acid transaminase family
branched chain amino acid transaminase family
Branched chain aminotransferases (BCATs) (EC 2.6.2.42) catalyze transamination of the branched chain amino acids (BCATs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Structurally, the BCATs belong to the fold type IV class of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) enzymes. Vertebrate BCATs are homodimers. In eukaryotes there are two isozymes, one is cytosolic (BCAT1) and the other is mitochondrial (BCAT2). In mammals, BCAT1 is largely restricted to the central nervous system and BCAT2 is in most tissues.