Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play essential roles in various physiological processes. Apart from their structural significance in proteins, amino acids also serve as vital signalling molecules in cell communication. Amino acids are organic compounds consisting of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a variable side chain (R group) attached to a central carbon atom. There are 20 standard amino acids commonly found in proteins, each differing in their R group composition. This structural diversity gives rise to the unique properties and functionalities of proteins. Amino acids can be broadly classified into several categories based on their properties: 1) nonpolar amino acids, amino acids that possess hydrophobic R groups, which are insoluble in water. They are commonly found buried in the interior of proteins, contributing to their stability and include alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; 2) polar amino acids, which have hydrophilic R groups that interact with water molecules. They can form hydrogen bonds and participate in various protein-protein interactions. Serine, threonine, cysteine, and asparagine are examples of polar amino acids; 3) charged amino acids, which can be further divided into two groups: acidic and basic. The acidic amino acids aspartic acid and glutamic acid possess negatively charged R groups and are typically involved in electrostatic interactions and play crucial roles in enzyme catalysis and protein structure. The basic amino acids, arginine, lysine, and histidine have positively charged R groups and are often involved in binding to negatively charged molecules and are critical in DNA binding proteins and in enzyme regulation. Amino acids play significant additional non-structural roles in cell signalling by acting as key components in signalling pathways or as biosynthetic precursors. For example, amino acids such as glutamate, aspartate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function as neurotransmitters, mediating communication between nerve cells. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, whilst GABA acts as the main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Amino acids are also involved in the synthesis and regulation of several hormones. For instance, tyrosine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, whilst tryptophan is a precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a critical role in cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. Amino acids, particularly leucine and arginine, activate mTOR signalling, promoting protein synthesis and cell growth. Arginine also serves an additional role beyond protein synthesis as the precursor for nitric oxide (NO) production, a crucial signalling molecule involved in vasodilation, neurotransmission, and immune responses. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) converts arginine into NO, exerting its effects on various target cells. Finally, glutathione is synthesized from the amino acids cysteine, glutamate, and glycine and plays a vital role in protecting cells by detoxifying ROS and maintaining the cell’s redox balance. We provide a comprehensive product range of research reagents for studying amino acids, including PSMA antibodies, Tyrosinase antibodies, Melanoma gp100 antibodies, Alanine Transaminase ELISA Kits, and PCSK9 ELISA Kits. Explore our full amino acids product range below and discover more, for less.