Asparagine synthetase

• OMIM: 108370
• UniProt: P08243

Asparagine synthetase ( ASNS ) is called, which occurs in all living beings enzyme that catalyzes the body's own production of the amino acid L- asparagine from L- aspartate and L- glutamine.

The enzyme consists of two domains: the part of the amino group of glutamine from -; (glutamine amidotransferase, EC 2.4.2. ) the amino group is funneled ammonium as the C-terminal end of the enzyme which is prepared as aspartate β -aspartyl- AMP and finally takes place amination and separation of AMP.

The catalyzed reaction equilibrium is:

L -glutamine ATP H2O ⇔ ⇔ L- glutamate AMP PPi

The reverse reaction can win at asparagine adenosine triphosphate and is active in extreme lack of glucose, which triggers the increased production of the enzyme. Likewise ASNS production is ramped up at Asparaginmangel - here the transcription factors ATF5 and CHOP play a role.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is fought among others by artificially generated Asparaginmangel using asparaginase. Resistance to this treatment are due to the activity of the ASNS. To make this resistance treatable, are increasingly also efforts underway to find ASNS inhibitors.