PROTEIN AMINO ACIDS

Glycine

Smallest and simplest amino acid;

for Protein flexibility; collagen formation, neurotransmission, wound healing;

ONLY ACHIRAL

Structural Formula of Glycine

Alanine

energy/ energy production & protein stabilizer

Structural Formula of Alanine

Valine

Usually found in the interior of proteins; muscle metabolism/ muscle energy, growth & repair; hydrophobic

Structural Formula of Valine

Leucine

Bulky proteins; protein synthesis, stimulate muscle; hydrophobic

Structural Formula of Leucine

Isoleucine

involved in any covalent chemistry in enzyme active centers; energy regulation, muscle repair

Structural Formula of Isoleucine

Methionine

Has thiol ether; Plays role in forming s-adenosyl methionine (SAM); methyl donor

Structural Formula of Methionine

Phenylalanine

precursor to neurotransmitters dopamine & epinephrine

Structural Formula of Phenylalanine

Tryptophan

Serotonin & melatonin

Structural Formula of Tryptophan

Tyrosine

Derived from phenylalanine by hydroxylation in the para position;

Precursor to thyroid hormones & catecholamines

Structural Formula of Tyrosine

Proline

Imino acid; Found at the end of a helix or in turns of loops; Protein stabilization, collagen synthesis;

ring to backbone; Secondary Amine

Structural Formula of Proline

Serine

Metabolism; phosphorylation, cell signaling

Structural Formula of Serine

Threonine

Structural protein component, immune function

Structural Formula of Threonine

Cysteine

Disulfide bonds; antioxidant/ protein structure via disulfide bonds;

stabilizing extracellular proteins

Structural Formula of Cysteine

Asparagine

common site for attachment site of carbohydrates in synthesis of glycoproteins

Structural Formula of Asparagine

Glutamine

Nitrogen donor/ transport; gut/immune cell support

Structural Formula of Glutamine

Aspartic acid/Aspartate

Neurotransmission; Acts as general acids in enzyme active centers; Negatively Charged

Structural Formula of Aspartic Acid

Glutamic Acid/Glutamate

Excitatory Neurotransmitter; involved in the biosynthesis of proline; Negatively Charged

Structural Formula of Glutamic Acid

Lysine

Collagen crosslinks/ formation; calcium absorption, immune support; positively charged e -amino group

Structural Formula of Lysine

Arginine

NO synthesis; urea cycle/ nitric acid precursor, immune support wound healing

Structural Formula of Arginine

Histidine

Buffering; enzyme active sites/ precursor to histamine enzyme catalysis

Structural Formula of Histidine