Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase 1 Like Protein 1 (GOT1L1)

GOT1L1 is a 421 amino acid member of the class-I pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family. Similar to glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT1), GOT1L1 is found primarily as a homodimer in the cytoplasmic space but also has mitochondrial and chloroplastic isozymes. GOT1L1 transaminates 2-oxoglutarate with L-aspartate to yield oxaloacetate and L-glutamate. This reaction requires a pyridoxal phosphate cofactor to occur. The GOT1L1 peptidase is predominately expressed in the liver and serum levels of this protein can be used as an indicator of liver disease. Also, elevated glutamate concentrations in the brain interstitial fluids can lead to pathological brain conditions. The glutamate-scavenging properties of these aminotranferase type enzymes likely prevent glutamate excitotoxicity and the long-lasting neurological deficits seen after stroke.