Aspartate transaminase (AST) also called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT/AAT) () is similar to alanine transaminase (ALT) in that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells.

Function

It facilitates the conversion of aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate.

Isozymes

Two isoenzymes are present in humans. They have high similarity.

• , the cytosolic isoenzyme derives mainly from red blood cells and heart.
• , the mitochondrial isoenzyme is predominantly present in liver.

Clinical significance

It is raised in acute liver damage. It is also present in red blood cells and cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, and kidney and brain tissue, and may be elevated due to damage to those sources as well.

AST was defined as a biochemical marker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in 1954. However the use of AST for such a diagnosis is now redundant and has been superseded by the cardiac troponins.^[1]

AST (SGOT) is commonly measured clinically as a part of diagnostic liver function tests, to determine liver health.

References

Journal articles

External links

de:Aspartat-Aminotransferase es:Aspartato aminotransferasa fr:Aspartate amino transférase it:Aspartato transaminasi ja:??????????????? pl:Aminotransferaza asparaginianowa pt:Transaminase Glutâmico Oxalacética ru:???????????????????????? fi:Aspartaattiaminotransferaasi sv:Aspartataminotransferas zh:?????????