Serine- Essay Exam 2

Essential or nonessential amino acid?

Nonessential because the body can produce it, but we do not need to get it from food.

What is serine involved in?

Signaling, protein structure, metabolism and making other molecules.

What intermediate is serine made from?

3-phosphoglycerate

How does the formation of serine from 3-phosphoglycerate work?

1. 3-phosphoglycerate is converted to an intermediate

2. It is transaminated to form serine

What can serine be converted to?

Glycine, cysteine, and other metabolic molecules.

What does serine connect?

Metabolism (glycolysis) with amino acid metabolism

Is serine polar or non polar?

Polar

Is serine hydrophobic or hydrophilic?

Hydrophilic

Is serine charged?

No, it’s a neutral molecule

What property does the OH in serine provide?

The ability to hydrogen bond!

What is an example of how serine’s OH can be chemically modified?

Phosphorylation

Where is serine commonly located in terms of protein structure?

On the service and in regions exposed to water, since it can work well in aq. enviornments

Where is serine commonly located in terms of enzymes?

In the active sites since the OH allows it to participate directly in chemical reactions

What does the OH in serine allow it to do?

Accept or donate hydrogen bonds

Stabilize molecules

Participate in reactions

What do serine proteases do?

Break peptide bonds, uses a serine residue in the active site. The serine attacks the peptide bond and helps to break proteins apart.

What is serine’s role in metabolism/precursor molecules?

Its is an important precursor to cysteine, glycine, sphingolipids and phospholipids

What does glycine do?

Important in maetabolism and neurotransmitter pathways.

What does cysteine do?

Is a sulfur containing amino acid.

What do phospholipids do?

Make up cell membranes

What do sphingolipids do?

They’re signaling molecules

What other rxns is serine involved in?

One carbon metabolism and DNA/RNA building processes

Possible effects of serine deficiency

Rare because the body can synthesize it, but:

Neurological problems, developmental issues, seizures, and brain development problems.

Why does serine deficiency cause the issues it causes?

Because the brain needs serine-derived molecules for neurotransmitter production, cell membranes and normal nervous system functioning.

Serine synthesis defects

Mutations in enzymes that make serine, can cause neurological symptoms

Mutations in serine residues

Can alter enzyme structure/production and can interrupt phosphorylation signaling.

Important because regulates—> Enzyme activity, cell growth, and communication pathways