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aspartate transaminase(AST)
(ASAT)
(ә-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. 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.
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