The protein encoded by this gene shares similarity with several thiamine pyrophosphate-binding proteins identified in bacteria, yeast, and plants. The highest degree of similarity is found with bacterial acetolactate synthases (AHAS), which are enzymes that catalyze the first step in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008] see less The protein encoded by this gene shares similarity with several thiamine pyrophosphate-binding proteins identified in bacteria, yeast, and plants. The highest degree of similarity is found with bacterial acetolactate synthases (AHAS), which are enzymes that catalyze the first step in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]