AMINO NOTES PRECURSOR

ACIDS OF
NON-POLAR SIDE CHAINS
GLYCINE Smallest side chain
Only amino acid that is not chiral
Used in the first step of heme synthesis
Used in purine synthesis
Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord
ALANINE Carries nitrogen from peripheral tissues to the liver
LEUCINE Branched-chain amino acids
ISOLEUCINE Deficiency in branched-chain a-ketoacid dehydrogenase
VALINE Maple Syrup Urine Disease
PHENYLALA Deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase
NINE Phenylketonuria accumulation phenyllactate,
phenylacetate, and phenylpyruvate ketonuria, musty
odor of urine
TRYPTOPHA Largest side chain Niacin
N Melatonin
Serotonin
METHIONINE Transfer of methyl groups as S-adenosylmethionine Homocystein
e
PROLINE Imino acid (NOT amino acid)
Contributes to the fibrous structure of collagen and
interrupts alpha helices in globular proteins
UNCHARGED POLAR SIDE CHAINS
CYSTEINE Contains sulfhydryl group that is an active part of many
enzymes
Two cysteines can be connected by a covalent disulfide
bond to form CYSTINE
Keratin contains a lot of cystine
TYROSINE Phenylalanine Tyrosine L-dopa Dopamine Thyroxine
Norepinephrine Epinephrine Melanin
SERINE Phosphorylation site of enzyme modification
Often linked to carbohydrate groups in glycoproteins
SERINE and Sites for O-linked glycosylation in gOlgi apparatus
THREONINE
ASPARAGINE Sites for N-linked glycosylation in eNdoplasmic reticulum
GLUTAMINE Deaminated by glutaminase resulting in the formation of
ammonia
Major carrier of nitrogen to the liver from peripheral
tissues
ASPARAGINE Have a carbonyl group and an amide group that can
and also form hydrogen bonds
GLUTAMINE
ACIDIC SIDE CHAINS
GLUTAMATE Excitatory neurotransmitter GABA
Glutamate decarboxylase: enzyme to convert Glutathione
Glutamate GABA
ASPARTATE
BASIC SIDE CHAINS
ARGININE Creatinine
Urea
Nitric oxide
LYSINE
HISTIDINE Weak base, has no charge Histamine
Used in the diagnosis of folic acid deficiency (N-
formiminoglutamate excretion test)