Which enzyme is involved in the conversion of aspartate and citrulline to arginosuccinate?

Argininosuccinate synthetase is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of aspartate and citrulline to argininosuccinate in the urea cycle. This reaction is crucial as it represents a key step in the synthesis of arginine, which is not only a significant amino acid in protein synthesis but also plays important roles in various metabolic pathways.

In this reaction, argininosuccinate synthetase facilitates the formation of argininosuccinate by utilizing ATP. The enzyme catalyzes the joining of aspartate to citrulline, which incorporates the amino group from aspartate into the molecule to produce argininosuccinate. This process is an essential part of nitrogen metabolism, allowing the body to effectively dispose of ammonia, a potentially toxic byproduct of amino acid metabolism.

Understanding the function of argininosuccinate synthetase is crucial for grasping the overall process of the urea cycle and its significance in maintaining nitrogen balance in living organisms.