Porcine Aspartate Aminotransferase, Cytoplasmic, AST ELI

Biosynthesis of L-glutamate from L-aspartate or L-cysteine.

Important regulator of levels of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the vertebrate central nervous system.

Acts as a scavenger of glutamate in brain neuroprotection.

The aspartate aminotransferase activity is involved in hepatic glucose synthesis during development and in adipocyte glyceroneogenesis.

Using L-cysteine as substrate, regulates levels of mercaptopyruvate, an important source of hydrogen sulfide.

Mercaptopyruvate is converted into H(2)S via the action of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST).

Hydrogen sulfide is an important synaptic modulator and neuroprotectant in the brain (By similarity).