Rate limiting enzyme

Transport of ammonia by alanine

1. In the liver, alanine is transaminated by alanine aminotransferase to pyruvate with the amino group being transferred to α-ketoglutarate to form glutamate. Almost all aminotransferase enzymes use α-ketoglutarate as the amino group acceptor.
2. Thus, amino groups are funneled into glutamate during protein catabolism.
3. Glutamate is further metabolized by the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase, which liberates free ammonia and regenerates α-ketoglutarate.
4. Ammonia then enters the urea cycle to form urea, the primary disposal form of nitrogen in humans.
5. Urea subsequently enters the blood and is excreted in the urine.

Cori cycle & Cahill cycle

Lactate/alanine is transported to the liver, where it is converted into glucose. It is then transported back to the muscles for energy production.