according to Merriam Webster's Medical Desk Dictionary

aspartate aminotransferase
n :  an enzyme promoting transfer of an amino group from glutamic acid to oxaloacetic acid and which when present in abnormally high levels in the blood is a diagnostic indication of myocardial infarction or liver disease —called also aspartate transaminase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase

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Note added at 10 mins (2004-11-27 17:49:38 GMT)
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and according to Dorland\'s Medical Dictionary

aspartate aminotransferase (as·par·tate ami·no·trans·fer·ase) aspartate transaminase.

aspartate transaminase (as·par·tate trans·am·i·nase) an enzyme of the transferase class that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to a-ketoglutarate to form glutamate and oxaloacetate, with pyridoxal phosphate required as a cofactor. The enzyme is present in most eukaryotic cells, occurring as distinct isozymes in mitochondria and cytosol. Both isozymes participate in the malate-aspartate shuttle, and in the liver the reaction transfers excess metabolic nitrogen into aspartate for disposal via the urea cycle. The serum level of aspartate transaminase (SGOT) and that of other transaminases are frequently elevated in a variety of disorders causing tissue damage (e.g., myocardial infarction).
Abbreviated AST and ASAT.
Called also aspartate aminotransferase and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT).

Hi Mbatrad,

I'd update the enzyme name. As you know, it was formerly called "GOT"= glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, was then called "AST= aspartate transaminase" but lately it's referred to as "AST= aspartate aminotransferase".

The word "transaminase(s)" to refer to the AST is still used when both AST and ASL are mentioned as a group (see example below).

Good luck,

Elena


a·mi·no·trans·fer·ase (-mn-trnsf-rs, -rz, m-n-)
n.

Any of various enzymes that catalyze the transfer of an amino group between an alpha-amino acid and usually a specific carbon on a keto acid. Also called aminopherase, transaminase.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=aminotransferase&r=...


His LFT remained normal during January 2000, but his serum transaminases were found elevated on February 2000 ** (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] ** 206, alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 266). A liver biopsy then showed no evidence of TB or cytomegalovirus disease. The patient continued to have stable elevation of his ** serum AST ** and ALT until late March 2000 when a repeat liver biopsy showed caseating granuloma. The patient was started on anti-TB medications, with which he was compliant. By mid-May 2000 he was doing well, with significant reduction in his ** transaminase levels (AST 72, ALT 79) **

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&d...



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Note added at 1 hr 56 mins (2004-11-27 19:35:36 GMT)
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