The enzyme aspartate 1-decarboxylase () catalyzes the chemical reaction
Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, L-aspartate, and two products, beta-alanine and CO<sub>2</sub>.
This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the carboxy-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is L-aspartate 1-carboxy-lyase (beta-alanine-forming). Other names in common use include aspartate alpha-decarboxylase, L-aspartate alpha-decarboxylase, aspartic alpha-decarboxylase, and L-aspartate 1-carboxy-lyase. This enzyme participates in alanine and aspartate metabolism and beta-alanine metabolism.
, 12 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes , , , , , , , , , , , and .