Description
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric,
Sample types:Plasma, Tissue Homogenate, Serum, Other biological fluids,
Reacts with:Human,
Assay type:Sandwich (quantitative),
Sensitivity:< 0.188 ng/mL,
Range:0.313 - 20 ng/mL,
Assay Platform:Microplate (12 x 8 well strips)
Product details:
Biosynthesis of L-glutamate from L-aspartate or L-cysteine. Important regulator of levels of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the vertebrate central nervous system. Acts as a scavenger of glutamate in brain neuroprotection. The aspartate aminotransferase activity is involved in hepatic glucose synthesis during development and in adipocyte glyceroneogenesis. Using L-cysteine as substrate, regulates levels of mercaptopyruvate, an important source of hydrogen sulfide. Mercaptopyruvate is converted into H2S via the action of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST). Hydrogen sulfide is an important synaptic modulator and neuroprotectant in the brain.
This Human Aspartate Aminotransferase ELISA Kit (ab285299, E4319) is a sandwich ELISA assay for the quantitative measurement of human AST in serum, plasma and cell culture supernatants. The density of color is proportional to the amount of human AST captured from the samples.
This product is manufactured by BioVision, an Abcam company and was previously called E4319 Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) (Human) ELISA Kit. E4319-100 is the same size as the 96 test size of ab285299.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions-+4°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions-+4°C, Storage information-+4°C
Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) also known as aspartate transaminase or aspartate transferase is an enzyme important for amino acid metabolism. Mechanically it catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to α-ketoglutarate forming oxaloacetate and glutamate. AST has a molecular mass of approximately 92 kDa and is expressed in various tissues with high levels found in liver heart muscle and kidneys. Its presence in these tissues highlights its importance in cellular metabolic processes.
Biological function summary
AST facilitates the interconversion between aspartate and oxaloacetate playing a role in the amino acid and urea cycles. Though not part of a large complex AST works closely with similar enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to maintain amino acid balance and support energy production. This enzymatic activity is important in nitrogen metabolism and glutamate use which are necessary for synthesizing other essential molecules within the cell.
Pathways
AST participates in the citric acid cycle and malate-aspartate shuttle enabling efficient energy production and NADH transport. The enzyme assists in converting oxaloacetate a pivotal intermediate in the citric acid cycle to keep the cycle active ensuring efficient cellular respiration. Additionally in the malate-aspartate shuttle AST works alongside malate dehydrogenase to facilitate the transfer of reducing equivalents across the mitochondrial membrane which is essential for ATP generation.
Elevated AST levels often indicate liver damage such as in hepatitis or cirrhosis reflecting its significant tissue expression. The enzyme is also linked to myocardial infarction as damaged heart muscle releases AST into the bloodstream. In these conditions AST serves as a biomarker for tissue damage often in conjunction with ALT levels allowing clinicians to assess the extent of liver or cardiac injury.
