Enzyme of the month January edition - Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

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The enzyme I would like to introduce you to in January is a liver enzyme called Alanine Aminotransferase. It is a very crucial enzyme in cellular respiration. The purpose of cellular respiration is to produce energy in the form of a chemical molecule known as ATP.  Many biochemical pathways are involved in cellular respiration. Examples of animal cellular energy pathways include Glycolysis1 and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA)2.

 Cellular respiration is a very neat and detailed process that breaks down the food molecules we ingest. The chemical reaction for cellular respiration is:

C6 + H12 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O



Image Citation Link

Where does the enzyme ALT fall into this complex process? ALT contributes towards the functioning of the TCA cycle. We will now discuss how ALT carries out its important function in cellular respiration. 

            A very important thing to remember is that the goal of cellular respiration is to create chemical energy to be utilized by the body. Cellular respiration produces intermediates of the molecule that ultimately produce ATP3. Specifically, the production of the chemical molecules NADH4, Hydrogen and GTP5 take place in the TCA cycle of cellular respiration. These molecules later engage in the synthesis of ATP when needed by the body. There is an intermediary process that follows glycolysis and takes place before the TCA cycle. In this process, the pyruvate molecule produced in glycolysis is converted to Acetyl-CoA. The complete oxidation of Acetyl-CoA7 in the TCA cycle leads to the production of NADH, H, and GTP.

It is now time to discuss where the enzyme ALT falls into cellular metabolism. ALT is involved in the metabolism of amino acids (proteins). Through this process, the protein sources are broken down for the body to convert them into forms of energy. ALT, specifically, converts the amino acid Alanine to Pyruvate. Then as discussed earlier, the pyruvate6 molecule is essential for producing the energy molecule, ATP. 

As I mentioned earlier, ALT is a liver enzyme that participates in protein digestion. Because it is a liver enzyme, ALT is considered to be an indicator of liver health. ALT enzymes are stored in the liver itself. A very little amount of this enzyme is found in the other parts of the body like muscles, kidney, brain, and heart (Patrick, 2020). In a healthy body, ALT enzyme levels in the bloodstream are quite low. According to Medicine Net, the normal ALT level in units per liter of serum is 7 to 56 (Patrick, 2020).  Therefore, liver disease can be evident if there is an abnormally high level of ALT in the bloodstream. However, high levels of ALT do not immediately suggest liver disease. There can be numerous factors that lead to elevated ALT levels. Hence, consulting with a doctor when the ALT levels are abnormally high is advised. 

I hope this blog helps you understand the role of the enzyme ALT! Stay tuned for the enzyme of the month in February 




Foot Notes:
1. A metabolic process that functions in breaking down glucose to either supply quick energy or an intermediate for the further metabolic reactions.

2.  Follows the process of glycolysis where the glucose molecules are oxidized to produce water and carbon dioxide which serve as waste products of the metabolic pathways 

 

3. An adenosine molecule packed with three phosphate molecules that repel each other. When the phosphate molecules are released, a lot of energy is produced to be used by the body for various functions.

4. A coenzyme that helps in producing energy from the food molecules. Plays a crucial role in oxidation-reduction reactions of cellular metabolism by donating or accepting Hydrogen. 

 

5.  Guanosine Tri-phosphate is another crucial energy molecule with an important role in cellular metabolism and cellular communication. Similar to ATP

 

6.  Acts as a transporting molecule that transports carbon dioxide for its complete oxidation. Useful in amino acid metabolism.

 

7.  Carrier of carbon molecules in acetyl to other molecules.

Works Cited:

Alanine Aminotransferase - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (2017). Sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/alanine-aminotransferase

A Glimpse at The function of NADH and FADH2 in Cellular Respiration. (2015, April 4). Biology Wise. https://biologywise.com/function-of-nadh-fadh2

BD Editors. (2017, January 27). Pyruvate. Biology Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/pyruvate/

 

5 Major Metabolic Pathways in Organisms| Microbiology. (2016, November 28). Biology Discussion. https://www.biologydiscussion.com/metabolism/microbial-metabolism/5-major-metabolic-pathways-in-organisms-microbiology/65509

Guanosine Triphosphate - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (2013). Sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/guanosine-triphosphate

 

Knapp, S. (2020, December 6). Alanine Aminotransferase. Biology Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/alanine-aminotransferase/‌

Patrick, C. (2020, June 22). Liver Blood Tests (Normal, Low, and High Ranges & Results). MedicineNet; MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/liver_blood_tests/article.htm

 

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