The below mentioned article provides a short note on the Acidic Amino Acids.
The acidic amino acids are:
1. Aspartic Acid (α-amino-succinic acid).
2. Glutamic Acid (α-amino glutaric acid).
Structure:
Biological Importance of Acidic Amino Acids :
1. These amino acids are nonessential and readily synthesized in the body.
2. These are metabolically the most reactive of the amino acids.
3. These are the active agents in the processes of deamination and amination through the participation in transamination reactions.
4. Glutamic acid (as acetyl glutamate) participates in the conversion of CO2 to ‘active CO2’ and ‘active CO2’, to carbamoyl phosphate which, in combination with ornithine, forms citrulline.
5. Aspartic acid participates in the conversion of citrulline to arginine.
6. Decarboxylation of aspartic acid leads to the formation of β-alanine which is a constituent of pantothenic acid.
7. Both the amino acids are glucogenic only.
8. Asparagine formed from aspartic acid plays an important role in the metabolism of’ plants.
9. Glutamic acid-is α-component of glutathione and folic acid.
10. Glutamic acid is converted into glutamine in the kidney which is the source of urinary ammonia. Glutamine also serves as a ‘ reservoir of amino nitrogen in the body.
Metabolism of Acidic Amino Acids :
