Structure of a generic amino acid

Advanced Nutrition & Human Metabolism, 2009

** hydroxyproline & hydroxylysine content are high in collagen

ne

CH3 1-C
metabolism

Synthesis of catecholamines

Tryptophan giving rise to

serotonin, melatonin & niacin

**

*
*

*
*

Wu G. Amino Acids, 20 March 2009

Is ARG essential
to humans?

Inborn Error of
Amino Acid Metabolism
e.g. Maple syrup urine disease
Cystathioninuria
Homocystinuria

Summary of the metabolism of amino acids in humans.

Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews:

Biochemistry, 2011

Nucleic acid> purine uric acid

*
EMBO J 16:3373-3385, 1997

Reaction favors formation of Pcr at rest BUT

favors the production of ATP in exercising muscle

spontaneous

Serum creatinine is an important biomarker of

renal health because it is a byproduct of muscle
metabolism that is excreted unchanged by the
kidneys (easily measurable).
In the kidney, creatinine is removed from the
blood primarily by glomerular filtration, but also
by proximal tubular secretion. Little or no tubular
reabsorption of creatinine occurs.
Based on serum and urine creatinine one can
estimate creatinine clearance which correlates
with glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Implications
Any advantage to supplement T2D and elderly with sarcopenia ?
Any unwanted side effect?

Diabetes Care 32:424-426, 2009

Serum creatinine range: men 60-110 umol/l

women 45-90 umol/l
1-2% of muscle creatine is converted to creatinine daily.
Higher the muscle mass, higher the urinary level. But would also increase if intake of meat
is high or use creatine as supplement.
Meat eaters > vegetarian
Since no renal reabsorption, its level in urine could be used as a reference for other
excreted parameters [e.g. correcting for incomplete sampling or different degree of
hydration use substance to creatinine ratio]

3-methylhistidine (for estimating protein breakdown/catabolic state)

** formed post-translationally
www.mettechinc.com/.../analysis_img3.jpg

Phenylketouria

redox potential / anti-oxidative

essential for feline

Interorgan amino acid exchange

and
amino acid metabolism

Advanced Nutrition & Human Metabolism, 2009

10

Postprandial amino acid

exchange between organs
Average diet contains
20% amino acids as BCAA
N extraction
Oxidation
Protein synthesis
Urea

VAL

INSULIN

ALA

GLN

ALA

GLN

Odd & Even Chain Fatty Acids

Glucogenic

Odd Chain Fatty Acids

Ketogenic

11

Key points on amino acid metabolism

Adults do not store extra nitrogen derived from the diet (except ?)
When key roles are fulfilled, surplus N will be excreted
Transamination and deamination are key reactions for eventual catabolism
Some amino acids are both glucogenic and ketogenic:
ILE, PHE, TRP, TYR and THR
Glutmate is a key amino acid for N metabolism because it is deaminated at
high rate by an allosteric enzyme
Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH)
GDH plays a key role in traffic control of amino acid disposal and synthesis
(non-essential amino acids)
Can essential amino acids be synthesized in the body?

Degradation of the branched-chain amino acids

Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, 2011

12

PLP = pyridoxal 5-phosphate

13

Muscle
BCAA

14

TCA for energy

low energy level

GABA

Glutamate
decarboxylase

Liver (periportal hepatocytes)

Brain (neurons)
Kidney (renal tubules

15

Schematic representation of key

metabolic processes involved in
glutamate homeostasis related to
neurotransmitter release in a
glutamatergic synapse interacting with a
surrounding astrocyte. The vesicular pool
of Glu is highlighted by an ellipse.
Glycolysis and TCA cycle metabolism are
indicated in both cellular compartments
and in the astrocytic compartment
pyruvate carboxylation to oxaloacetate
via pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is
included. The glutamate-glutamine cycle
including the reactions catalyzed by
glutamine synthetase (GS) and phosphate
activated glutaminase are indicated in the
astrocytic and neuronal compartment,
respectively. Abbreviations: CIT, citrate;
GLN, glutamine; GLU, glutamate; GS,
glutamine synthetase; -KG, ketoglutarate; PAG, phosphate activated
glutaminase; PC, pyruvate carboxylase;
PDH, pyruvate dehydrogenase; PYR
pyruvate; TCA, tricarboxylic acid.

https://www.bioscience.org/2007/v12/af/2067/fig2.jpg

Diet
Proteolysis

16