The gene annotated by the locus tag At3g08860 encodes a β-alanine/L-alanine aminotransferase in Arabidopsis thaliana

The aminotransferase gene family in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana consists of 44 genes some of which remain uncharacterized. This study elucidates the function of an uninvestigated aminotransferase annotated by the locus tag At3g08860. The cDNA was shown to functionally complement two E. coli mutants auxotrophic for the amino acids {beta}-alanine (non-proteogenic) and L-alanine (proteogenic). The elucidation of At3g08860 activity has the potential to facilitate experiments for the optimization of plant lines involved in nitrogen utilization efficiency, response to hypoxia, osmo-protection, vitamin B5 and coenzyme A metabolism.