This enzyme belongs to the family of ligases, specifically those forming carbon-oxygen bonds in aminoacyl-tRNA and related compounds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-aspartate:tRNAAsp ligase (AMP-forming). Other names in common use include aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, aspartyl ribonucleic synthetase, aspartyl-transfer RNA synthetase, aspartic acid translase, aspartyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase, and aspartyl ribonucleate synthetase. This enzyme participates in alanine and aspartate metabolism and aminoacyl-trna biosynthesis.
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NORTON SJ, RAVEL JM, LEE C, SHIVE W (1963). "Purification and properties of the aspartyl ribonucleic acid synthetase of Lactobacillus arabinosus". J. Biol. Chem.238: 269–74. PMID 13939000.