BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Detailed explanation-1: -We show that pyruvate, a simple organic molecule that can form in hydrothermal systems, can undergo reductive amination in the presence of mixed-valence iron oxyhydroxides to form the amino acid alanine, as well as the reduced product lactate.

Detailed explanation-2: -Alanine synthesis by reductive amination of pyruvate was performed by the combination of NADH regeneration system and alanine dehydrogenase (AlaDH). The conversion of pyruvate to alanine was 99% after 1 h.

Detailed explanation-3: -Alanine can be manufactured in the body from pyruvate and branched chain amino acids such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Alanine is most commonly produced by reductive amination of pyruvate.

Detailed explanation-4: -When muscles degrade amino acids for energy needs, the resulting nitrogen is transaminated to pyruvate to form alanine. This is performed by the enzyme alanine transaminase (ALT), which converts L-glutamate and pyruvate into -ketoglutarate and L-alanine.