GLYCINE

M.Prasad Naidu MSc Medical Biochemistry, Ph.D.Research Scholar

GLYCINE : It is simplest aminoacid Nonessential and glucogenic. Formation of glycine: 1. From serine 2. From threonine 3. By glycine synthase reaction

By Glycine synthase:

NADH CO2 + NH4+

++

H+

NAD+ glycine THF

N5 , N10 methylene THF

Glycine synthase is a multienzyme complex and requires PLP , NAD and THF.

Metabolic functions of glycine: Glycine is used for biosynthesis of 1. Heme 2. Purine ring 3. Creatine 4. Glutathione 5. As a conjugating agent 6. Glycine as neurotransmitter 7.Glycine as a constituent of protein

1.Heme synthesis

ALA synthase glycine + succinyl CoA -aminolevulinate PLP This is the rate limiting step in heme synthesis.

2. Purine ring the whole molecule of glycine is

incorporated into purine ring (C4 ,C5 and N7).

synthetase
5-phosphoribosyl-1-amine +GLYCINE glycinamide ribonucleotide

ATP

ADP + Pi

3. Synthesis of creatine Arginine + Glycine Kidney Arginine- glycine transamidinase

Guanidoacetate SAM

Guanidoacetate methyltransferase HO
2

SAH

Liver

ATP
CREATININE

Creatine
MUSCLE Creatine

ADP Pi

kinase

Creatine Phosphate

Creatine is reversibly phosphorylated to creatine phosphate by creatine kinase and stored in muscle as high enegy phosphate.

Creatinine : it is anhydride of creatine it is formed by cyclisation of creatine.

Serum creatinine 0.7 -1.4 mg/dl Urine creatinine 1- 2 g/day

Serum creatinine concentration is not influenced by endogenous or exogenous factors, so used as a more reliable indicator of renal function.

4.Synthesis of glutathione

Superoxide dismutase

Peroxidase

O2- (superoxide)

H2O2

H2O

i)Freeradical scavenging

2GSH

GS SG

Glutathione reductase

2NADP+

NADPH+H+

Glucose -6-phosphate GPD By scavenging free radicals it maintains RBC membrane integrity.

iii)Involved in amino acid transport Meister cycle iv)Insulin inactivation by hepatic insulin glutathione transhydrogenase

Insulin(A+B chains)+ 2GSH chain

GSSG+A chain +B

v) Activation of enzymes : Many enzymes having SH in active site are kept in the active form by glutathione. Ex: glyceraldehyde -3-P dehydrogenase

vi)Met-hemoglobin: glutathione is necessary for the reduction of met-Hb(ferric) normal Hb (ferrous state). The met-Hb is can not transport oxygen . 2Met-Hb-(Fe3+ ) +2 GSH 2 Hb-(Fe2+) + 2H+ + GSSG

5. Conjugating agent

It is used for conjugating bile acids so that their amphipathic property is increased.

Cholic acid + Glycine

Chenodeoxycholic acid + Glycine Glycine + Benzoic acid

glycocholic acid
glycochenodeoxycholic acid benzoyl glycine ( hippuric acid)

6.Glycine as neurotransmitter: It is a neurotransmitter in the brainstem and spinal cord. At moderate levels it disrupts neuronal traffic; but at very high levels it causes overexcitation

7.Glycine as a constituent of protein

It is seen where the polypeptide chain bends or turns.
In collagen , every third aminoacid is glycine.