What is "transamination"

n. (context biochemistry English) the transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to another molecule

1. n. the process of transposing an amino group within a chemical compound

2. the process of transfering an amino group from one compound to another

Most amino acids are deaminated by transamination, a chemical reaction that transfers an amino group to a ketoacid to form new amino acids. This is one of the major degradation pathways which convert essential amino acids to nonessential amino acids (amino acids that can be synthesized de novo by the organism).

Transamination in biochemistry is accomplished by enzymes called transaminases or aminotransferases. α-ketoglutarate acts as the predominant aminogroup acceptor and produces glutamate as the new amino acid.

Aminoacid + α-ketoglutarate ↔ α-keto acid + Glutamate

Glutamate's amino group, in turn, is transferred to oxaloacetate in a second transamination reaction yielding aspartate.

Glutamate + oxaloacetate ↔ α-ketoglutarate + aspartate