Glutamine—pyruvate transaminase

In enzymology, a glutamine-pyruvate transaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * L-glutamine + pyruvate $$\rightleftharpoons$$ 2-oxoglutaramate + L-alanine

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are L-glutamine and pyruvate, whereas its two products are 2-oxoglutaramate and L-alanine.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically the transaminases, which transfer nitrogenous groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-glutamine:pyruvate aminotransferase. Other names in common use include glutaminase II, L-glutamine transaminase L, and glutamine-oxo-acid transaminase. This enzyme participates in glutamate metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.

Structural studies
As of late 2007, 3 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , and.