glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase

aspartate transaminase

 (AST) (ASAT) [ah-spahr´tāt trans-am´ĭ-nās]

an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to α-ketoglutarate to form glutamate and oxaloacetate, requiring the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate; it is normally present in serum and in various body tissues, especially in the heart and liver. (See accompanying table.) It is released into the serum as the result of tissue injury, especially injury to the heart or liver, hence the concentration in the serum may be increased in myocardial infarction or acute damage to hepatic cells. Serum levels are also increased in some muscle diseases, such as progressive muscular dystrophy. Called also glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

as·par·tate a·mi·no·trans·fer·ase (AST),

an enzyme catalyzing the reversible transfer of an amine group from l-glutamate to oxaloacetate, forming α-ketoglutarate and l-aspartate; an aid in diagnosing viral hepatitis and myocardial infarction.

Synonym(s): aspartate transaminase, glutamic-aspartic transaminase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic:oxaloacetic transaminase

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

as·par·tate a·mi·no·trans·fer·ase

(AST) (as-pahr'tāt ă-mē'nō-trans'fĕr-ās)

An enzyme catalyzing the reversible transfer of an amine group from l-glutamic acid to oxaloacetic acid, forming α-ketoglutaric acid and l-aspartic acid; a diagnostic aid in viral hepatitis and in myocardial infarction.
Synonym(s): glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012