transamination The transfer of the amino group (—NH₂) from an amino acid to an acceptor (chemically a keto‐acid or oxo‐acid). Pyridoxal phosphate, the metabolically active form of vitamin B6, acts as the intermediate carrier of the amino group (i.e. it is a coenzyme). The enzymes catalysing the reaction are known as transaminases or aminotransferases.

transamination The transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid in a reaction catalysed by a transaminase. This is the principal method in cells for the synthesis of non-essential amino acids, and requires a pyridosal or pyrido-oxamine phosphate as a coenzyme.

transamination The transfer of an amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid in a reaction catalysed by a transaminase. This is the principal method in cells for the synthesis of nonessential amino acids, and requires a pyridosal or pyrido-oxamine phosphate as a coenzyme.

transamination (trans-am-i-nay-shŏn) n. a process involved in the metabolism of amino acids in which amino groups (–NH₂) are transferred from amino acids to certain α-keto acids, with the production of a second keto acid and amino acid. The reaction is catalysed by transaminases.

transamination A biochemical reaction in amino acid metabolism in which an amine group is transferred from an amino acid to a keto acid to form a new amino acid and keto acid. The coenzyme required for this reaction is pyridoxal phosphate.