Chapter 15, Problem 15.34EP

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine whether glutamate and aspartate could function as the two reactants in a transamination reaction or not.

Concept introduction: Transamination reaction is a biochemical reaction that involves the transfer of an amino group. In transamination reaction exchange of an amino group from an $\text{α-amino}$ acid with a keto group of an $\text{α-keto}$ acid. There occurs no net loss or gain of amino acid in transamination reaction. The general reaction to illustrate transamination is as follows:

The general structure of an amino acid is:

Here, $\text{R}$ is the side chain which is different for a different amino acid.

An acid containing both carbonyl and carboxyl functional group is known as a keto acid. A general representation of a keto acid is:

Answer to Problem 15.34EP

No, glutamate and aspartate cannot function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.

Explanation of Solution

Glutamate is an amino acid and its structure is:

Aspartate is an amino acid and its structure is:

The two reactants in transamination reaction are a keto acid and an amino acid. Both glutamate and aspartate are amino acids thus they cannot function as reactants in a transamination reaction. For a transamination reaction to take place there must be one amino acid present along with a keto acid.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine whether aspartate and $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ could function as the two reactants in a transamination reaction or not.

Concept introduction: Transamination reaction is a biochemical reaction that involves the transfer of an amino group. In transamination reaction exchange of an amino group from an $\text{α-amino}$ acid with a keto group of an $\text{α-keto}$ acid. There occurs no net loss or gain of amino acid in transamination reaction. The general reaction to illustrate transamination is as follows:

The general structure of an amino acid is:

Here, $\text{R}$ is the side chain which is different for a different amino acid.

An acid containing both carbonyl and carboxyl functional group is known as a keto acid. A general representation of a keto acid is:

Answer to Problem 15.34EP

Yes, aspartate and $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ can function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.

Explanation of Solution

$\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ is keto acid and its structure is:

Aspartate is an amino acid and its structure is:

Transamination reaction involves the exchange of an amino group from an $\text{α-amino}$ acid with a keto group of an $\text{α-keto}$ acid. The two reactants in transamination reaction are a keto acid and an amino acid. Since $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ is a keto acid and aspartate is an amino acid they can function as reactants in a transamination reaction.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine whether succinate and $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ could function as the two reactants in a transamination reaction or not.

Concept introduction: Transamination reaction is a biochemical reaction that involves the transfer of an amino group. In transamination reaction exchange of an amino group from an $\text{α-amino}$ acid with a keto group of an $\text{α-keto}$ acid. There occurs no net loss or gain of amino acid in transamination reaction. The general reaction to illustrate transamination is as follows:

The general structure of an amino acid is:

Here, $\text{R}$ is the side chain which is different for a different amino acid.

An acid containing both carbonyl and carboxyl functional group is known as a keto acid. A general representation of a keto acid is:

Answer to Problem 15.34EP

No, succinate and $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ cannot function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.

Explanation of Solution

Succinate is a diacid acid and its structure is:

$\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ is keto acid and its structure is:

The two reactants in transamination reaction are a keto acid and an amino acid. $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ is keto acid but succinate is not an amino acid. For a transamination reaction to take place there must be one amino acid present along with a keto acid. Thus, succinate and $\text{α-ketoglutarate}$ cannot function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.

(d)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine whether glutarate and aspartate could function as the two reactants in a transamination reaction or not.

Concept introduction: Transamination reaction is a biochemical reaction that involves the transfer of an amino group. In transamination reaction exchange of an amino group from an $\text{α-amino}$ acid with a keto group of an $\text{α-keto}$ acid. There occurs no net loss or gain of amino acid in transamination reaction.

The general reaction to illustrate transamination is as follows:

The general structure of an amino acid is:

Here, $\text{R}$ is the side chain which is different for a different amino acid.

An acid containing both carbonyl and carboxyl functional group is known as a keto acid. A general representation of a keto acid is:

Answer to Problem 15.34EP

No, glutarate and aspartate cannot function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.

Explanation of Solution

Aspartate is an amino acid and its structure is:

Glutarate is a diacid and its structure is:

The two reactants in transamination reaction are a keto acid and an amino acid. Aspartate is an amino acid but glutarate is not a keto acid. For a transamination reaction to take place there must be one keto acid present along with an amino acid. Thus, glutarate and aspartate cannot function as the reactants in a transamination reaction.