# Alanine (Cahill) Cycle

The **Alanine** or **Cahill Cycle** is the biochemical pathway for shuttling amino groups from the muscle to the liver.

In the **muscle**, amino groups are produced from the breakdown of **amino acids**. **α-ketoglutarate** accepts these amino groups, and is converted into **glutamate** after accepting an amino group. Glutamate then transfers the amino group to **pyruvate**, producing **alanine** in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme, **alanine transaminase**, better known as ALT (see [Pyruvate Metabolism](/content/view/4329/index.html)). Alanine can then **exit to the bloodstream** to reach the liver.

At the **liver**, **alanine** is taken up and converted into **pyruvate**. This involves the removal of an amino group, catalyzed by **alanine transaminase**(ALT) working in reverse. The amino groups are transferred to **α-ketoglutarate**, producing **glutamate**. Glutamate then contributes the amino groups in ammonia for the [Urea Cycle](/content/view/4325/index.html), where they are packaged for elimination. The pyruvate produced in the liver is then used for gluconeogenesis, making **glucose**. This glucose is **exported to the bloodstream**, and some of it ends up back in the muscle, finishing the cycle.