4-aminobutyrate---pyruvate transaminase (EC2.6.1.96, aminobutyrate aminotransferase, gamma-aminobutyrate aminotransaminase, gamma-aminobutyrate transaminase, gamma-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase, gamma-aminobutyric acid pyruvate transaminase, gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase, gamma-aminobutyric transaminase, 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, 4-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase, aminobutyrate transaminase, GABA aminotransferase, GABA transaminase, GABA transferase, POP2 (gene)) is an enzyme with systematic name4-aminobutanoate:pyruvate aminotransferase.[1][2][3][4] This enzyme is a type of GABA transaminase, which degrades the neurotransmitter GABA. The enzyme catalyses the following chemical reaction
Phenylethylidenehydrazine, the active metabolite of phenelzine, inhibits gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase and subsequently increases GABA concentrations in the central nervous system. This may contribute to the notable anxiolytic effects of phenelzine.[5]
References
^Van Cauwenberghe, O.R.; Shelp, B.J. (1999). "Biochemical characterization of partially purified gaba:pyruvate transaminase from Nicotiana tabacum". Phytochemistry. 52: 575–581. doi:10.1016/s0031-9422(99)00301-5.