Transketolase
- OMIM: 606 781
- UniProt: P29401
Transketolase (TK ) ( Gen: TKT ) is the name of enzymes which transfer a Ketolgruppe of xylulose -5-phosphate to an aldol, usually ribose - 5-phosphate. This reaction step, together with said transaldolase, connects the glycolysis by the pentose phosphate pathway. Transketolases are found in bacteria, plants and animals. In mammals, several isoforms such as transketolase like -1 have formed. Mutations at the TKT gene lead to lack of transketolase activity, which, together with their lack of coenzyme thiamine (vitamin B1 ) leads to the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in alcoholics.