The protein encoded by this gene is similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae LYS5, which is required for the activation of the alpha-aminoadipate dehydrogenase in the biosynthetic pathway of lysine. Yeast alpha-aminoadipate dehydrogenase converts alpha-biosynthetic-aminoadipate semialdehyde to alpha-aminoadipate. It has been suggested that defects in the human gene result in pipecolic acidemia.

The gene product is an immunoglobulin-type protein. It is found to be expressed strongly in endothelial cells, cytotrophoblasts, and poorly differentiated colon adenocarcinoma cells found in lymphatics. The protein contains a heparin-binding domain and mediates heparin-sensitive cell adhesion.

This gene encodes a protein that is highly similar to mouse and rat kynurenine aminotransferase II. The rat protein is a homodimer with two transaminase activities. One activity is the transamination of alpha-aminoadipic acid, a final step in the saccaropine pathway which is the major pathway for L-lysine catabolism. The other activity involves the transamination of kynurenine to produce kynurenine acid, the precursor of kynurenic acid which has neuroprotective properties. Two alternative transcripts encoding the same isoform have been identified, however, additional alternative transcripts and isoforms may exist.

The protein encoded by this gene was identified on the basis of its interaction with MAP3K12/DLK, a protein kinase known to be involved in the induction of cell apoptosis. This gene product contains a leucine zipper, which is a characteristic motif of transcription factors, and was shown to exhibit strong transactivation activity when fused to Gal4 DNA binding domain. Overexpression of this gene interfered with MAP3K12 induced apoptosis.

The human alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) belongs to a family of tRNA synthases, of the class II enzymes. Class II tRNA synthases evolved early in evolution and are highly conserved. This is reflected by the fact that 498 of the 968-residue polypeptide human AARS shares 41% identity witht the E.coli protein. tRNA synthases are the enzymes that interpret the RNA code and attach specific aminoacids to the tRNAs that contain the cognate trinucleotide anticodons. They consist of a catalytic domain which interacts with the amino acid acceptor-T psi C helix of the tRNA, and a second domain which interacts with the rest of the tRNA structure.

Microsomal arylacetamide deacetylase competes against the activity of cytosolic arylamine N-acetyltransferase, which catalyzes one of the initial biotransformation pathways for arylamine and heterocyclic amine carcinogens

This gene encodes a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the first two steps in the mammalian lysine degradation pathway. The N-terminal and the C-terminal portions of this enzyme contain lysine-ketoglutarate reductase and saccharopine dehydrogenase activity, respectively, resulting in the conversion of lysine to alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde. Mutations in this gene are associated with familial hyperlysinemia.

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the Ser/Thr family of protein kinases SNF1 subfamily. There is strong evidence that this protein is the endogenous mu 2 kinase and plays a regulatory role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, including the regulation of fatty acid synthesis and cholesterol synthesis.

This gene encodes a bifunctional mitochondrial protein that catalyzes the first two steps in the lysine degradation pathway. The N-terminus contains lysine-ketoglutarate reductase activity and converts lysine to saccharopine, whereas the C-terminus contains saccharopine dehydrogenase activity and converts saccharopine to alpha-aminoadipate semialdehyde. Mutations in a human gene encoding a highly similar protein are associated with familial hyperlysinemia.

an apoptosis antagonizing nuclear phosphoprotein transcription factor [RGD]

activates acetoacetate to its CoA ester [RGD]

endogenous modulator of glutamatergic neurotransmission with kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) activity [RGD]

regulates melatonin biosynthesis; may play a role in circadian rhythm and response to photoperiod [RGD]