Cedro, Leah Hope E.

BSA32KB2

20 AMINO ACID STRUCTURES

1.

Arginine (/rdnin/, abbreviated as Arg or R) is an -amino acid. Arginine is a conditionally essential amino
acid, meaning that whether or not it is required to be healthy is conditional on the health status or life cycle of the
individual. Arginine is involved in many metabolic processes and important in the treatment of heart diseases and
high blood pressure. Arginine improves the circulation, strengthens the immune system and has a positive
influence on male libido. Research suggests that the amino acid accelerates the rate of the healing of wounds 2,
improves the burning of excess fat3and can be used in weight-reducing diets. Its role in decreasing cholesterol
levels can be ascribed to its function as biological precursor of nitric oxide (NO).

2.

Histidine (abbreviated as His or H) is a proteinogenic, -amino acid with an imidazole functional group. Initially
thought essential only for infants, longer-term studies shown it's essential for adults also. Histidine is found in high
concentrations in hemoglobin. As a result, it aids in treatment of anemia and maintaining optimal blood pH. Also,
histidine is the precursor of histamine, which is involved in local immune responses

3.

Lysine (abbreviated as Lys or K) is an essential -amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCH(NH2)(CH2)4NH2.
Lysine'scodons are AAA and AAG. Lysine is a base, as are arginine and histidine. The -amino group often
participates in hydrogen bonding and as a general base in catalysis. Lysine is important for proper growth, and it
plays an essential role in the production of carnitine, a nutrient responsible for converting fatty acids into energy
and helping to lower cholesterol. Lysine helps the body absorb calcium, and it plays an important role in the
formation of collagen, a substance important for bones and connective tissues including skin, tendon, and
cartilage.

4.

Glutamic acid (abbreviated as Glu or E) is one of the 20-23 proteinogenic amino acids, and its codons are GAA
and GAG. Glutamic acid contributes to the health of the immune and digestive systems, as well as energy
production. Muscle tissues are an important site for storing and producing this amino acid. Each day
approximately 80g of glutamic acid is release from the muscles into circulation to be used throughout the body.

5.

Aspartic
acid (abbreviated
as Asp or D)[3] is
an
-amino
acid with
the chemical
formula HOOCCH(NH2)CH2COOH. Asp's L-isomer is one of the 23 proteinogenic amino acids, i.e., the building
blocks of proteins. Its codons are GAU and GAC. Aspartic acids are involved in transamination in which
oxaloacetate and aspartate is interconvertible. It is also involved in immune system activity by promoting
immunoglobulin production and antibody production. Moreover, aspartic acid protects the liver and helps in
detoxification of ammonia. Aspartate plays important roles as acids in enzyme active centers, as well as in
maintaining the solubility and ionic character of proteins.

6.

Serine (abbreviated as Ser or S) is an amino acid with the formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2OH. It is one of
the proteinogenic amino acids. Its codons in the genetic code are UCU, UCC, UCA, UCG, AGU and AGC. By
virtue of the hydroxyl group, serine is classified as a polar amino acid. Serine is a non-essential amino acid which
means it can be synthesized by the human body. For instance, serine can be synthesized from glycine. Serine is
also a precursor of glycine and cysteine. Serine is found in phospholipids, active sites of trypsin and chymotrypsin.
It can synthesize pyrimidines and proteins, cysteine and tryptophan. It is also involved in fat and fatty acid
formation, muscle synthesis. Serine can be deaminated by the catalyst serine dehydratase, yielding to pyruvate
and ammonium. The deamination of threonine follows a similar process.

7.

Threonine (abbreviated
as Thr or T)
is
an essential, polar -amino
acid,
with
the formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH(OH)CH3. Together with serine, threonine is one of two proteinogenic amino
acids bearing an alcohol group (tyrosine is not an alcohol but a phenol, since its hydroxyl group is bonded directly
to an aromatic ring, giving it different acid/base and oxidative properties). It is also one of two common amino
acids that bear a chiral side chain, along with isoleucine. Its codons are ACU, ACA, ACC, and ACG. Threonine
aids the formation of elastin and collagen. In the immune system, threonine aids in the formation of antibodies. It
also promotes growth and function thymus glands and absorption of nutrients. In addition, threonine is the
precursor to isoleucine. Threonine can be deaminated by the catalyst threonine dehydratase, yielding to ketobutyrate and ammonium. The deamination of Serine follows a similar process.

8.

Asparagine (abbreviated as Asn or N) is one of the 20 most-common natural amino acids on Earth. It
has carboxamide as the side-chain's functional group. Asn is not essential. Its codons are AAU and AAC.
Asparagine, along with glutamate, is an important neurotransmitter. Since Aspartic acid and Asparigine have high
concentration in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of the brain, which is important in short-term memory and
emotions, the two amino acids serves essential role between the brain and the rest of the body. Asparagine is
required by the nervous system to maintain equilibrium and is also required for amino acid transformation from
one form to the other which is achieved in the liver.

9.

Glutamine (abbreviated as Gln or Q, and often called L-glutamine) is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the
standard genetic code. It is considered conditionally essential. In human blood, glutamine is the most abundant
free amino acid, with a concentration of about 500900 mol/l. Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, which
means that it will naturally occur in the human body and does not need to be gathered from exogenous sources. It
is one of the most abundant amino acid manufactures in the body. Glutamine circulates in the blood and is able to
cross the blood-brain barrier directly.

10. Cysteine (abbreviated

as Cys or C) is
a
semi-essential proteinogenic
amino
acid with
the formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2SH>. It is encoded by the codons UGU and UGC. The thiol side chain in Cys often
participates in enzymatic reactions, as a nucleophile. Cysteine is capable of inactivation of insulin in bloodstream.
Excessive amount of cysteine reduces one of three disulfide bonds in insulin structure. As a result, insulin loses its
functionality. Cysteine's capability of inactivation of insulin can be utilized in medicine and pharmaceutic when a
patient experiences hypoglymecia attack due to high level of insulin.

11. Glycine (abbreviated as Gly or G) is the smallest of the 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins, and indeed
is the smallest possible (having a hydrogen substituent as its side-chain). The formula is NH2CH2COOH.
Its codons are GGU, GGC, GGA, GGG of the genetic code. Glycione is non-essential amino acids meaning the
human can manufacture it in their body. It serves an important role in maintaining central nervous and digestive
systems. Glycine prevents the breakdown of muscle by increase creatine, which is a compound that helps build
muscle mass. Glycine also keeps the skin firm and flexible. Without glycine, the skin can be damage from the UV
rays, oxidation and free radical. Glycine regulates blood sugar levels and helps provide glucose for the body.

12. Proline (abbreviated as Pro or P) is an -amino acid, one of the twenty main amino acids. Proline behaves as a
structural disruptor in the middle of regular secondary structure elements. However, proline is commonly found as
the first residue of an alpha helix and in the edge strands of beta sheets. Proline is most commonly found in turns,
which may account for the curious fact that proline is usually solvent-exposed although it has a completely
aliphatic side chain. Because proline lacks of hydrogen on the amide group, it cannot act as a hydrogen bond
donor, only as a hydrogen bond acceptor. Proline is important in healing, cartilage building, and in flexible joints
and muscle support. It also helps reduce the sagging, wrinkling, and aging of skin resulting from exposure to the
sun. Proline by breaking down protein and helps create healthy cells. It is essential both to skin health, and for the
creation of healthy connective tissues and also muscular tissue maintenance.

13. Alanine (abbreviated as Ala or A) is a non-polar -amino acid, with the formula CH3CH(NH2)COOH. The L-isomer
(left-handed) of alanine is one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the human genetic code. Its genetic codons are
GCU, GCC, GCA, and GCG. L-Alanine is second only to leucine in rate of occurrence, accounting for 7.8% of
the primary structure in a sample of 1,150 proteins. The right-handed form, D-Alanine occurs in bacterial cell walls
and in some peptide antibiotics. Alanine is the primary amino acids for sugar and acid metabolism. It boosts up
the immune system by producing antibodies, and provide energy for muscles tissues, brain, and the central
nervous system. It is used in pharmaceutical preparations for injection or infusion. It is also used in dietary
supplement and flavor compounds in maillard reaction products. In addition, it is a stimulant of glucagon secretion.

14. Valine (abbreviated as Val or V) is an essential, proteinogenic -amino acid with the chemical formula
HO2CCH(NH2)CH(CH3)2. Valine is an amino acid with an aliphatic, isopropyl side chain and is therefore a
hydrophobic amino acid. Valine differs from threonine in that the OH group of threonine is replaced by a
CH3 group. This is a nonpolar amino acid. It is an essential amino acid; therefore it cannot be produced by the
human body. Being hydrophobic, this amino acid is often found in the interior of proteins. Valine is essential in
muscle growth and development, muscle metabolism, and maintenance of nitrogen balance in the human body. It
can be used as an energy source in place of glucose. It can also be used as a treatment for brain damage caused
by alcohol.

15. Isoleucine (abbreviated as Ile or I) is a proteinogenic -amino acid which is essential in humans (it cannot be
synthesized, so it must be ingested). The iso- in its name refers to it being an isomer of leucine.[1] Its chemical
formula is HO2CCH(NH2)CH(CH3)CH2CH3. Isoleucine is an essential amino acid, meaning the human body
cannot manufacture it. It is needed for the formation of Hemoglobin and to regulate blood sugar and energy
levels. Isoleucine serves important roles in muscle strength and endurance and is a source of energy for muscle
tissues. Isoleucine promotes muscle recovery after an intense workout. Isoleucine is necessary for the formation
of hemoglobin as well as assisting with regulation of blood sugar levels as well as energy levels. It is also involved
in the formation of blood clots.

16. Leucine (abbreviated as Leu or L) is an essential, branched-chain -amino acid, classified hydrophobic due to
the isobutyl side chain. Its chemical formula is HO2CCH(NH2)CH2CH(CH3)2. L-Leucine is encoded by
six codons (UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG) and is a major component of the subunits in ferritin, astacin,
and other 'buffer' proteins. Leucine has all functions of the amino acid Isoleucine as their similarity in branched
hydrocarbon side chain. Leucine facilitates skin healing and bone healing by modulating the release of natural
pain-reducers, Enkephalins. It is also a precursor of cholesterol and increases the synthesis of muscle tissues by
slowing down their degradation process. Leucine is an essential amino acid. It is essential in promoting growth in
infant and regulating nitrogen concentration in adults. Leucine is generally used as a flavor enhancer.

17. Methionine (/ma.nin/ or /ma.nn/; abbreviated as Met or M) is a non-polar -amino acid with a straight
side chain that possess a S-methyl thioether (i.e. CSC bonding) at the -carbon. It has the chemical

formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH2CH2SCH3. It is anessential amino acid in all metazoa and is coded by the initiation
codon AUG, which also indicates mRNA's coding region where translation into protein begins. Methionine helps
the breakdown of fat and reduces blood cholesterol levels. It is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and
removes waste in the liver. Synthesis of DNA and RNA requires the presence of Methionine. It is also a precursor
of several critical amino acids, hormones, and neurotransmitters in human body. Its AUG codon also serves as a
"start" signal for ribosomal translation of messenger RNA or mRNA; this means that every peptide chain began
with an methionine residual at its N-terminal. It may however be removed later on by cleavage.

18. Phenylalanine /fnllnin/ (abbreviated

as Phe or F) is
an
-amino
acid with
the
formula
C6H5CH2CH(NH2)COOH. This essential amino acid is classified as neutral, and non-polar because of the inert
and hydrophobic nature of the benzyl side chain. The L-isomer is used to biochemically form proteins, coded for
by DNA. The codons for L-phenylalanine are UUU and UUC. Phenylalanine is a precursor of the amino acid
tyrosine, which gives rise to neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. It can be used
to manage certain types of depression as a powerful anti-depressant and can also enhance memory, thought, and
mood. This amino acid also plays a role in decreasing blood pressure in hypertension. The D form of
phenylalanine can be used to reduce pain in arthritis which is a rare instance among amino acids. Phenylalanine
is a naturally occurring amino acid that promotes growth in infants and regulates nitrogen concentration in adults.

19. Tyrosine (Tyr or Y)[1] or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, is one of the 22 amino acids that are used
by cells to synthesize proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid with a polar side group. Its codons are UAC and
UAU. The word "tyrosine" is from the Greek tyros, meaning cheese, as it was first discovered in 1846 by German
chemist Justus von Liebig in the protein casein from cheese. It is called tyrosyl when referred to as a functional
group or side chain. Tyrosine plays crucial roles in the human body: It helps deal with stress by becoming an
adaptanogen helps minimize effects of the stress syndrome, in drug detoxification such as for cocaine, coffee and
nicotine addictions. It reduces withdrawals and abuse. It assists in treating Vitiligo, pigmentation of skin,
Phenylketonuria, the condition where phenylalanine is not metabolized. In addition, it is effective for depression
treatment.

20. Tryptophan (IUPAC-IUBMB abbreviation: Trp or W; IUPAC abbreviation: L-Trp or D-Trp; sold for medical use
as Tryptan) is one of the 22 standard amino acids and an essential amino acid in the human diet. Tryptophan is
the precursor for various proteins, serotonin and niacin. It also promotes the formation of peptides and proteins. It
is an essential amino acid, meaning it cannot be produced by the human body. It is usually present in peptides,
enzymes, and structural proteins.