Asparagine catabolism

Glutamine catabolism occurs by hydrolysis of the amide group from the side chain, Clutaminase catalyzes the reaction, resulting in the production of glutamate and an ammonium ion. Asparagine catabolism occurs in an identical manner, and here the reaction is catalyzed by asparaginase. 

FIGURE 18-29 Catabolic pathway for asparagine and aspartate. Both amino acids are converted to oxaloacetate. 

Ammonium ions are produced by the catabolism of a number of amino acids. Glutamate dehydrogenase is the major source of ammonium ions in the body. Ammonium ions are also produced from the catabolic pathways of serine, histidine, tryptophan, glycine, glutamine, and asparagine. L-Amino acid oxidase and... 

The illustrations here and here show the transamination reactions interconverting ot-ketoglutarate, glutamate, and glutamine (see here) and oxaloacetate, aspartate, and asparagine (see here). Notice in each case that one enzyme is primarily involved in the anabolic reactions (making an amino acid) whereas a different enzyme is involved in the catabolic pathway (breaking down an amino acid). 

Synthesis and Catabolism of Glutamate, Aspartate, Alanine, Glutamine, and Asparagine (Diagram 1, 2, 3 Figure 20.14)... 

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