39941 PRK13357
Thalassiosira pseudonana

Catalysis of a biochemical reaction at physiological temperatures. In biologically catalyzed reactions, the reactants are known as substrates, and the catalysts are naturally occurring macromolecular substances known as enzymes. Enzymes possess specific binding sites for substrates, and are usually composed wholly or largely of protein, but RNA that has catalytic activity (ribozyme) is often also regarded as enzymatic.

The chemical reactions and pathways, including anabolism and catabolism, by which living organisms transform chemical substances. Metabolic processes typically transform small molecules, but also include macromolecular processes such as DNA repair and replication, and protein synthesis and degradation.

Catalysis of the reaction: a branched-chain amino acid + 2-oxoglutarate = L-glutamate + a 2-oxocarboxylate derived from the branched-chain amino acid.

The chemical reactions and pathways involving amino acids containing a branched carbon skeleton, comprising isoleucine, leucine and valine.