Pyridoxal phosphate PLP is the active form of vitamin B6 pyridoxine and serves as a vital coenzyme in various biochemical reactions, including the transamination of amino acids during their metabolism and biosynthesis. Transamination is the process of transferring an amino group -NH2 from an amino acid to an -keto acid, resulting in the formation of a new amino acid and a new -keto acid.The role of PLP in transamination can be summarized in the following steps:1. Formation of Schiff base: PLP forms a Schiff base also known as an aldimine by binding to the amino group of the amino acid through its aldehyde group. This results in the formation of an amino acid-PLP complex.2. Transimination: The amino group of the amino acid is then transferred to the PLP, resulting in the formation of a ketimine intermediate and the release of the -keto acid.3. Hydrolysis: The ketimine intermediate undergoes hydrolysis, which leads to the release of the amino group as an ammonium ion and the regeneration of the PLP.4. Transfer of amino group: The ammonium ion is then transferred to a new -keto acid, forming a new Schiff base with the PLP.5. Formation of new amino acid: The new Schiff base undergoes hydrolysis, releasing the newly formed amino acid and regenerating the PLP.In summary, PLP plays a crucial role in the transamination of amino acids by acting as a coenzyme that facilitates the transfer of amino groups between amino acids and -keto acids. This process is essential for the metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids, as it allows for the interconversion of different amino acids and the formation of new ones.