AAT2 encodes the aspartate aminotransferase that catalyzes the reversible transfer of the amino group from L-aspartate to 2-oxoglutarate to form oxaloacetate and L-glutamate (2). It plays a role in the metabolism of nitrogen and amino acids, most directly aspartate and glutamate. Aat2p is usually found in the cytoplasm, but is targeted to peroxisomes in cells grown in oleate (1). Aat2p is active in the cell as a homodimer (3). Analysis of the crystal structure of Aat2p reveals that it shares the same three-dimensional fold and active site residues as the aspartate aminotransferases from chicken and E. coli (3). It also shares sequence similarity with the yeast mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase, Aat1p (4, 2). Yeast strains lacking AAT2 are viable in rich media, but require aspartic acid in minimal media (1). The AAT2 gene was previously known through its mutant form asp5.

Last updated: 1999-09-01