Aspartate roles and metabolites:
- Aspartate is synthesized by transamination of oxaloacetate through the actions of Aspartate aminotransferase and pyridoxal 5′- phosphate. Aspartyl-tRNA synthase can then couple the aspartate to aspartyl tRNA for protein synthesis.
- Aspartate carries the reducing equivalents in the mitochondrial Malate-Aspartate shuttle, which uses the ready interconversion of aspartate and oxaloacetate.
- N-acetylaspartate synthase, present in the cytoplasm, converts aspartate to N-acetylaspartate, a brain metabolite that regulates dopamine.
- Asparagine is biosynthesized by Asparagine synthetase from aspartate, glutamine, and ATP. Asparagine is involved in the metabolic control of cell functions in nerve and brain tissue.
- Arginosuccinic acid is synthesized from aspartate, citrulline and ATP through the action of Argininosuccinate synthase, one of the enzymes of the urea cycle. In this metabolic pathway, neurotoxic ammonia, produced by protein catabolism, is converted into urea in the liver.
- Fumaric acid is synthesized from Argininosuccinic acid via an Argininosuccinate lyase, which is an enzyme in the Citric Acid Cycle.
- Inosinic acid, aspartic acid and GTP are interconverted to GDP and AMP by the Adenylosuccinate synthetase isozyme 1. This process is involved in the purine nucleotide cycle which regulates nucleotides levels in various tissues.
- Aspartate transcarbamoylase catalyzes the synthesis of N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate from carbamoyl phosphate and aspartate that are involved in the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines.
- Beta alanine is formed by decarboxylation of aspartate by Glutamate decarboxylase 1 in the cytoplasm.
- L-aspartate is converted to D-aspartate through the action of a D-aspartate racemase. D-aspartate contributes to the synthesis and release of glucocorticoids, prolactin, oxytocin, and steroids. D-aspartate plays an important role in the brain activity of mammals.