Alanine–tRNA ligase

In enzymology, an alanine–tRNA ligase (EC 6.1.1.7) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

ATP + L-alanine + tRNA^Ala ${\displaystyle \rightleftharpoons }$ AMP + diphosphate + L-alanyl-tRNA^Ala

The 3 substrates of this enzyme are ATP, L-alanine, and tRNA^Ala, whereas its 3 products are AMP, diphosphate, and L-alanyl-tRNA^Ala.

This enzyme belongs to the family of ligases, to be specific those forming carbon–oxygen bonds in aminoacyl-tRNA and related compounds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-alanine:tRNA^Ala ligase (AMP-forming). Other names in common use include alanyl-tRNA synthetase, alanyl-transfer ribonucleate synthetase, alanyl-transfer RNA synthetase, alanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase, alanine-transfer RNA ligase, alanine transfer RNA synthetase, alanine tRNA synthetase, alanine translase, alanyl-transfer ribonucleate synthase, AlaRS, and Ala-tRNA synthetase. This enzyme participates in alanine and aspartate metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis.