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Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic nutrients that appear in foods and in the human body either as building blocks of proteins or as free
amino acids.
Amino acids are made of the amino group (NH2), carboxyl group (COOH) and a side chain containing carbon, hydrogen or
oxygen; two amino acids (cysteine and methionine) also contain sulfur and one (selenocysteine) contains selenium.
3. Isoleucine, I Ile
C6H13NO2 (AUU no reactive functional
AUC groups
2-Amino-3- AUA) highly hydrophobic:
methylpentanoic acid
play important role in
maintaining 3-D
4. Leucine, L Leu structures of proteins
C6H13NO2 (UUA because of their
2-Amino-4- UUG tendency to cluster away
methylpenthanoic acid CUU from water.
CUC
CUA
CUG)
Aromatic R Groups
7. Phenylalanine, F Phe Phenylalanine has benzene
C9H11NO2 (UUU ring therefore hydrophobic.
UUC)
(S)-2-Amino-3-
phenylpropanoic acid
8. Tyrosine, Y Tyr
C9H11NO3 (UAU
L-2-Amino-3- UAC)
(4-hydroxyphenyl)
propanoic acid Tyrosine and Tryptophan
have side chains with polar
groups, therefore less
hydrophobic than Phe.
9. Tryptophan, W Trp
C11H12N2O2 (UGG)
2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-
yl) propanoic acid
Sulfur-containing R Groups
10. Methionine, M Met Methionine is hydrophobic.
C5H11NO2S (AUG) Sulfur atom is nucleophilic.
2-Amino-4-
(methylthio)butanoic
acid
Basic R Groups
14. Arginine, R Arg
C6H14N4O2 (CGU
CGC Histidine, Lysine,
2-Amino-5- CGA and Arginine have
guanidinopentanoic acid CGG hydrophilic side chains that
AGA
are nitrogenous bases and
AGG)
positively charged at
physiological pH.
15. Histidine, H His
C6H9N3O2 (CAU
CAC) Arg is most basic amino
2-Amino-3-(1H-imidazol-
4 yl)propanoic acid
acid, and contribute
positive charges to
proteins.
16. Lysine, K Lys
C6H14N2O2 (AAA
AAG)
2,6-Diaminohexanoic
acid
Diammoniohexanoic
acid
Acidic R Groups and their Amide derivatives
17. Aspartate, D Asp
C4H7NO4 (GAU
GAC)
2-aminobutanedioic Aspartate and Glutamate a
acid
re dicarboxylic acids,
ionizable at physiological
18. Glutamate, E Glu pH. Confer a negative
C5H9NO4 (GAA charge on proteins.
GAG)
2-Aminopentanedioic
acid
3. Leucine (Leu)
It is used in the liver, adipose tissue, and the muscle tissue. Adipose and Muscle tissue use leucine for the
formation of sterols.
4. Lysine (Lys)
Synthesis of protein. Production of animal feed it serves as the limiting amino acid when optimizing the growth of
certain animals such as pigs and chickens for the production of meat.
5. Methionine (Met)
Methionine is important in the growth of new blood vessels, and supplementation may benefit those suffering
from Parkinsons, drug withdrawal, schizophrenia, radiation, copper poisoning, asthma, allergies, alcoholism, or
depression
6. Phenylalanine (Phe)
Found naturally on breast milk of mammals. It is used in the manufacture of food and drink products and sold as a
nutritional supplement for its reputed analgesic and antidepressant effects.
7. Threonine (Thr)
Essential to humans. Pre-cursor for glycine, and can be used as a prod rug to reliably elevate brain glycine levels.
8. Tryptophan (Trp)
Is needed to prevent illness or death, but cannot be synthesized and must be ingested short.
9. Valine (Val)
Synthesized in plants from pyruvic acid.
10. Arginine (Arg)
Are required for the young, but not for adults.
Why amino acids are important and what role do they play in the body?
Amino acids are central to virtually every function of the human body. They are used in structures and in metabolic
reactions for the bodys optimal functioning. Protein and amino acids are used by the body for growth and development, making
tissues such as muscle, skin, nails, and hair. They are also used in making hormones and antibodies. We use amino acids for
chromosomes, which contain our genetic code. We also use them for neurotransmitter production, cell growth, reproduction and repair.
Proteins are essential for glandular function and for detoxification. Amino acids can also be used for the manufacture of energy and
enzymes (molecules involved in speeding up reactions). Any amino acid excess is stored by the body, as glycogen, for future use. Amino
acids also help to regulate water balance and the bodys pH (acid/base balance).