Agxt2-KO Mouse

Agxt2, or alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase 2, is a multifunctional mitochondrial aminotransferase first identified in 1978. It is involved in multiple metabolic pathways, with substrates and products that play roles in cardiovascular, renal, neurological, and hematological processes. It has been shown to be involved in the metabolism of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), which are crucial in cardiovascular disease development and prediction of cardiovascular events [1,2].

In various studies, Agxt2 has been associated with different disease conditions. In cats, genetic variants of Agxt2 are related to 2-oxoarginine levels and calcium oxalate stone formation, with certain variants responding differently to dietary interventions [4]. In humans, Agxt2 SNP rs37369 is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus, and its polymorphism can affect the renal function in chronic heart failure patients, especially in smokers [3,5]. Also, missense variants of Agxt2 may be related to vascular diseases like hypertension and diabetes mellitus via the nitric oxide system, and the gene's SNPs are associated with depressive symptoms [6,7].

In conclusion, Agxt2 is a key enzyme in multiple metabolic pathways. Research on its genetic variants and functions using human population studies has revealed its importance in various disease areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular and renal diseases, as well as in mental health conditions like depressive symptoms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms and may potentially lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.