Question

2. Transamination reactions require which cofactor? The keto acid analog of glutamate is ____________.

Answer 1

Transamination reactions require pyridoxal phosphate as a cofactor tightly bound to the active site of enzyme transaminases and acting as an intermediate in the transfer of amino groups. It accepts the amino group from the donor amino acid thereby forming pyridoxamine phosphate. The amino group is then transferred to the acceptor keto acid, regenerating pyridoxal phosphate for further reactions.

α-ketoglutarate is the keto acid analog of glutamate. The α-ketoglutarate/glutamate couple serves as an amino group acceptor/donor pair in transaminase reactions.