Health Topics

Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You Are Here:
Home →
Genetics →
Genes →
AGXT gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/agxt/

AGXT gene

alanine--glyoxylate aminotransferase

Normal Function

The AGXT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase. This enzyme is found in liver cells, specifically within cell structures called peroxisomes. These structures are important for several cellular activities, such as ridding the cell of toxic substances and helping to break down certain fats. In the peroxisome, alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase converts a compound called glyoxylate to the protein building block (amino acid) glycine.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Primary hyperoxaluria

More than 175 mutations in the AGXT gene have been found to cause primary hyperoxaluria type 1. This condition is caused by the overproduction of a substance called oxalate. Excess amounts of this substance lead to kidney and bladder stones, which can begin anytime from childhood to early adulthood with kidney disease developing at any age. Deposition of oxalate in multiple other tissues throughout the body (systemic oxalosis) can cause additional health problems.

Most of the AGXT gene mutations decrease or eliminate alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase activity, which impairs the conversion of glyoxylate to glycine. Other mutations cause the enzyme to be misplaced in cells, transporting it to structures called mitochondria instead of to peroxisomes. While the enzyme in the mitochondria retains activity, it cannot access glyoxylate, which is in peroxisomes. All AGXT gene mutations result in the accumulation of glyoxylate, which is converted to oxalate instead of glycine. The oxalate is filtered through the kidneys and is either excreted in urine as a waste product or combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate, a hard compound that is the main component of kidney and bladder stones. Increased oxalate levels in the blood can lead to systemic oxalosis, particularly affecting bones and the walls of blood vessels in people with primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • AGT
  • AGT1
  • AGXT1
  • alanine glyoxylate aminotransferase
  • alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase
  • alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (oxalosis I; hyperoxaluria I; glycolicaciduria; serine-pyruvate aminotransferase)
  • alanine-glyoxylate transaminase
  • L-alanine: glyoxylate aminotransferase 1
  • pyruvate (glyoxylate) aminotransferase
  • serine-pyruvate aminotransferase
  • serine:pyruvate aminotransferase
  • SPAT
  • SPT

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Cochat P, Rumsby G. Primary hyperoxaluria. N Engl J Med. 2013 Aug 15;369(7):649-58. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1301564. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Hopp K, Cogal AG, Bergstralh EJ, Seide BM, Olson JB, Meek AM, Lieske JC, Milliner DS, Harris PC; Rare Kidney Stone Consortium. Phenotype-Genotype Correlations and Estimated Carrier Frequencies of Primary Hyperoxaluria. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015 Oct;26(10):2559-70. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2014070698. Epub 2015 Feb 2. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Milliner DS, Harris PC, Sas DJ, Cogal AG, Lieske JC. Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1. 2002 Jun 19 [updated 2024 Aug 15]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews(R) [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1283/ Citation on PubMed
  • Williams EL, Acquaviva C, Amoroso A, Chevalier F, Coulter-Mackie M, Monico CG, Giachino D, Owen T, Robbiano A, Salido E, Waterham H, Rumsby G. Primary hyperoxaluria type 1: update and additional mutation analysis of the AGXT gene. Hum Mutat. 2009 Jun;30(6):910-7. doi: 10.1002/humu.21021. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.