Glutamic acid is a α-amino acid, with symbol Glu or E, is used by all living beings in protein biosynthesis. It is non-essential amino acid in humans which refers body could synthesize it. It is an excitatory neurotransmitter in vertebrate nervous system. It acts as precursor for synthesis of inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid in GABA-ergic neurons. Glutamic acid has formula C5H89O4N. The molecular structure could be identified as HOOC-CH(NH2)-(CH2)2-COOH having two carboxyl groups –COOH and one amino group –NH2. In mildly acid and solid state water solutions, molecule estimate an electrically neutral zwitterion structure −OOC-CH(NH+3)-(CH2)2-COOH. It is encoded by codons GAG…
Author: Emily
Aspartic acid also called aspartate with symbol D or Asp, is an α-amino acid which is used in protein biosynthesis. Alike other amino acids, it contain an amino group and carboxylic acid. The amino group is in protonated –NH+3 form under physiological conditions. It has acidic side chain (CH2COOH) which reacts with other amino acids, proteins and enzymes in the body. The side chain in proteins occurs as negatively charged aspartate form −COO− under physiological conditions. In humans, it is a non-essential amino acid which refers that body could synthesize it as required. It is encoded by all codons GAC…
Alanine (either of two amino acids L-alanine or alpha-alanine) is a constituent of proteins. Silk fibroin is a rich source of L-alanine from which amino acid was isolated firstly in 1879. It is one of various nonessential amino acids for mammals and birds which mean they could synthesize it from pyruvic acid and does not require dietary sources. Beta alanine or D-alanine is not found in proteins but naturally occurs in two peptides anserine and carnosine, found in mammalian muscle. It is a substantial constituent of vitamin pantothenic acid. It has chemical formula CH3CH(NH2)COOH. It is a simple amino acid…
Arginine with symbol Arg or R is also known as L-arginine, an α-amino acid which is used in protein biosynthesis. It encloses an α-carboxylic acid group, α-amino group and a side chain which consists of a 3-carbon aliphatic straight chain ending in a guanidino group. Amino group is protonated (-NH3+) Carboxylic acid is deprotonated (-COO-) which makes arginine a charged and aliphatic amino acid. It is a precursor for biosynthesis of nitric oxide. It is encoded by codons CGU, CGA, CGC, AGA, CGG, and AGG. Arginine is categorized as conditionally essential or semi-essential amino acid which depends on developmental stage…
Histidine symbolized as H or His, is an α-amino acid used in protein biosynthesis. It encloses a carboxylic acid group (deprotonated –COO− form under biological conditions), α-amino group (protonated –NH3+ form under biological conditions) and an imidazole side chain (partially protonated) classified as a positively charged amino acid at physiological pH. At first, it was thought to be essential for infants but long term studies showed that it is essential for adults as well. Histidine is encoded by codons CAU and CAC. First it was isolated in 1896 by German physician Sven Hedin and Albrecht Kossel. It acts as a…
Valine with symbol V or Val is an α-amino acid which is used in protein biosynthesis. It comprises an α-amino group (protonated –NH3 form under biological condition), an α-carboxylic acid group (deprotonated −COO− form under biological conditions and a side chain isopropyl group, making it a non-polar aliphatic amino acid. It is crucial in humans which means body could not synthesize it and should be obtained from diet. The dietary sources are dairy products, meats, soy products, legumes and beans. There are twenty three amino acids acting as molecular building blocks of protein. About nine amino acids among these are…
Tyrosine symbolizes as Tyr or Y, is one of 20 amino acids used by cells to incorporate proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid having polar side group. The term tyrosine is derived from Greek word tyros which means cheese and was discovered by German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1846 in the protein casein from cheese. When it is referred as side chain or functional group, it is called tyrosyl. Generally, it is classified as hydrophobic amino acid as it is major hydrophilic than phenylalanine. L-tyrosine is found in diet involved for producing catecholamines such as adrenaline and dopamine.…
Phenylalanine is an amino acid which is a building block of protein. Phenylalanine has three forms L-phenylalanine, D-phenylalanine and the mix made in the laboratory known DL-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid found in proteins. It is a precursor for catecholamines such as dopamine, tyramine, norepinephrine and epinephrine which are neurotransmitters acting as adrenalin like substances. Phenylalanine is categorized as neutral and nonpolar because of inert or hydrophobic nature of benzyl side chain. L-isomer is used to biochemically form proteins which are coded by DNA. It is a precursor for tyrosine, the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine and…
Cystine is an oxidized dimer form of amino acid cysteine with formula (SCH2CH(NH2)CO2H)2. Cystine is a white solid which is slightly soluble in water. It provides two biological functions: a site of redox reactions and mechanical linkage which allows protein for retaining their three-dimensional structure. It is associated dimeric nonessential amino acid assembled by oxidation of cysteine. Two molecules of Cysteine are combined together by disulfide bridge for forming cysteine. It is a sulfur containing derivative attained from oxidation of cysteine amino acid thiol side chains. It acts as an antioxidant and prevents tissues against pollution and radiation and slowing…
Methionine is an essential amino acid. It is the dietary precursor to both cysteine and taurine, versatile compounds such as SAM-e and essential antioxidant glutathione, methione has a crucial role in metabolism or health of human. It is encoded by codon AUG. It is a vital part of angiogenesis which is the growth of new blood vessels. Its supplementation is beneficial for those with copper poisoning. Similarly, overconsumption of methionine is associated to growth of cancer. Firstly methionine is isolated by John Howard Mueller in 1921. L-isomer of methionine is the only form which is involved in protein synthesis and…