Question:easy

Which vitamin-derived coenzyme is required for a transamination reaction?

Show Hint

The coenzyme that forms a Schiff base with amino acids is pyridoxal phosphate.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
  • Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
  • FAD (Riboflavin / Vitamin B2)
  • NAD (Niacin / Vitamin B3)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Transaminases swap the amino group between an amino acid and an alpha-keto acid, and every one of them depends on a single B-vitamin cofactor: Vitamin B6.

In its active state, B6 (pyridoxine) is converted to pyridoxal phosphate (PLP). PLP sits in the enzyme active site and reacts with the incoming amino acid to form a Schiff-base aldimine; the amino group is then handed over via a pyridoxamine phosphate intermediate to the recipient keto acid. This ping-pong mechanism is the defining feature of aminotransferases such as AST and ALT.

The other vitamins serve different chemistries: thiamine (B1) as TPP drives decarboxylations, riboflavin (B2) as FAD and niacin (B3) as NAD/NADH handle redox transfers. None of these can perform amino-group transfer.

\[\boxed{\text{Transamination} \Rightarrow \text{Pyridoxal phosphate (Vitamin B6)}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0