GABA transaminase

A GABA transaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes chemical reactions. There are two types of this enzyme:

• 4-aminobutyrate transaminase, which catalyzes the chemical reaction:

  4-aminobutanoate + 2-oxoglutarate $\rightleftharpoons$ succinate semialdehyde + L-glutamate

and

• 4-aminobutyrate—pyruvate transaminase, which catalyzes the chemical reaction:

  (1) 4-aminobutanoate + pyruvate $\rightleftharpoons$ succinate semialdehyde + L-alanine

  (2) 4-aminobutanoate + glyoxylate $\rightleftharpoons$ succinate semialdehyde + glycine

GABA transaminase is targeted by multiple antiepileptic and analgesic drugs referred to as GABA transaminase inhibitors.