bcat-1 encodes a branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase that, by homology, is predicted to catalyze the first reaction in the catabolism of essential branched-chain amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine; in C. elegans, large-scale RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) screens indicate that bcat-1 activity is required for embryonic and larval development.
Predicted to enable branched-chain-amino-acid transaminase activity. Involved in branched-chain amino acid catabolic process; embryo development; and nematode larval development. Acts upstream of or within determination of adult lifespan. Located in mitochondrion. Is an ortholog of human BCAT2 (branched chain amino acid transaminase 2).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.