MSK_MT1_TBL1 (AA Metabolism) Flashcards

Glycine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Alanine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Proline
NONpolar, aliphatic

Valine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Serine
polar, UNcharged

Threonine
polar, UNcharged

Cysteine
polar, UNcharged

Aspargine
polar, UNcharged

Glutamine
polar, UNcharged

Leucine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Isoleucine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Methionine
NONpolar, aliphatic

Phenylalanine
Aromatic

Tyrosine
Aromatic

Tryptophan
Aromatic

Aspartate
(-) charged

Glutamate
(-) charged

Lysine
(+) charged

Arginine
(+) charged

Histidine
(+) charged
Ketogenic Amino Acids (2)
- Leucine
- Lysine
- eventually becomes → Acetly CoA or Acetoacetate
- eventually becomes → precursors for Ketone bodies, fatty acids & isoprenoids
Glucogenic Amino Acids (13)
- Valine
- Histidine
- Argenine
- Aspargine
- Glutamine
- Methionine
- Alanine
- Aspartate
- Gluatmate
- Glycine
- Proline
- Serine
- Cystine
- eventually becomes → Pyruvate/TCA cycle intermediates (oxaloacetate, α-ketogluterate, succinyl coA, fumerate)
- eventually becomes → precursors for glucose synthesis via glucogenogenisis
Ketogenic & Glucogenic Amino Acids (5)
- Isoleucine
- Tryptophan
- Phenylalanine
- Tyrosine
- Threonine
Roles of AA (Big Picture)
- aids with the removal of excess ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) from brain
- aids with the removal of excess ammonia ( NH3) from skeletal muscles (via glucose-alanine cycle)

Fates of Tryptophan (3)
- Niacin
- Serotonin
- Melatonin
Fate of Histidine
Histamine
Fate of Glycine
Heme
Fates of Arginine (3)
- Creatine
- Urea (CH₄N₂O)
- Nitric Oxide (NO)
Fate of Glutamate
GABA (neurotransmitter)
Defect in Branched Chain AA leads to…
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Defect in Homocysteine leads to …
Homocystinuria
- body can’t process Methionine = harmful build-up of substances in the blood and urine

Defect in Cysteine leads to …
Cystinuria
- excessive amounts of undissolved cystine in the urine = bladder stones

Transamination
chemical rxn between an amino acid ( contains an amine NH2 group) & a keto acid (which contains a keto =O group)
- NH2 is exchanged with the =O group
- produces an α-keto acid from the amino acid and glutamate from α-ketoglutarate
catalyzed by aminotransferases (revisible rxn)

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

reversibly transaminates aspartate → oxaloacetate
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
reversibly transaminates alanine → pyruvate.

Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)
- derived from vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- required cofactor for all aminotransferases.
5 Amino Acid Families
- Serine Family
- Pyruvate Family
- Aspartate Family
- Glutamate Family
- Aromatic Family

Serine Synthesis Pathway
- synthesized from 3-phosphoglycerate (glycolytic intermediate)
- three rxns:
- add ammonia
- add -OH group
- remove phosphate
- three rxns:
- required for synthesis of phosphatidylserine, cysteine, glutathione
Big Picture:
3-phosphoglycerate → → 3-Phosphoserine → Serine

Pyruvate Synthesis Pathway
- Pyruvate also makes Alanine and Leucine
- Glucose-alanine cycle:
-
Alanine plays a special role in transporting amino groups → liver.
- It is the carrier of ammonia & carbon skeleton of pyruvate from muscle → liver.
- The ammonia is excreted
- pyruvate recycled → glucose, which is returned to the muscle.
- It is the carrier of ammonia & carbon skeleton of pyruvate from muscle → liver.

Aspartate Synthesis Pathway: Apartate
- synthesized from oxaloacetate
- catalyzed by aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- NH3 transferred from glutamate
- requires pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) cofactor
- neurotransmitter; also required for synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, inositol, & urea
-
moves between cytosol ⇌ mitochondria
- via aspartate-malate shuttle

Aspartate Synthesis Pathway: Asparagine
- synthesized from aspartate
- catalyzed by asparagine synthetase
- glutamine used as source of nitrogen
-
leukemic cells low in this enzyme
- epigenetic silencing by methylation

Aspartate Family: Other Important Derivatives from Asp
- Lysine
- Threonine
- Methionine (Homo-cysteine)

Glutamate Synthesis Pathway: Glutamate
- synthesized from α-ketoglutarate
- catalyzed by glutamate dehydrogenase
- neurotransmitter (GABA)

Glutamate Synthesis Pathway: Glutamine
- synthesized from *glutamate*
- catalyzed by glutamine synthetase
- conditionally essential in neonates & under stress conditions

Glutamate Synthesis Pathway: Proline & Argenine
- synthesized from *glutamate*
- catalyzed by glutamine synthetase

Cystine Family Synthesis Pathway
- synthesized from *SERINE*
- reaction part of methionine catabolic pathway
- sulfur derived from methionine
- cysteine becomes conditionally essential in individuals whose diet is limiting in methionine
- required for synthesis of glutathione
Big Picture
Serine + Homocysteine → Cystathionine → Cysteine

AAs that form Succynil CoA

- methionine
- cysteine
pathway produces acetylcholine

Importance of B12 (Folate) and B6 (Pyroxidine) in Methionine Catabolism
Two Disposal Pathways for Homocysteine:
-
Conversion to Methionine
- requires folate (B12)
- is a RE-methylation rxn
-
Formation of Cysteine
1. requires pyridoxine (B6)
2. is a transSULFERATION rxn - sulfur of methionine → sulfur of cysteine
-
Formation of Cysteine

AA Degradation
Important AA catabolites include:
- ammonia
- CO2
- long-chain and short-chain fatty acids
- glucose
- ketone bodies
- nitric oxide (NO)
- urea
- uric acid
- polyamines
-
complete oxidation of AA ultimately requires conversion to acetyl-CoA,
- which is _oxidized to CO2 and H2O (_via the TCA cycle ETC)
- less efficient for ATP production compared with fat & glucose

α-ketoglutarate Degradation
-
arginine & proline → glutamate γ- semialdehyde → glutamate → α-ketoglutarate
- first step in arginine degradation catalyzed by arginase (urea cycle enzyme)
- histidine → glutamate → α-ketoglutarate
- glutamine → glutamate → α-ketoglutarate
- GLUTAMATE*:
- converted to α-ketoglutarate via transaminase or glutamate dehydrogenase
Methionine Degradation
methionine metabolism (after a meal):
- excess methionine → homocysteine
- homocysteine → cystathionine & α-ketobutyrate
• catalyzed by cystathionine synthase and lyase both require PLP (vit. B6)

Propionyl CoA Covertion → Succinyl CoA
rxn also needed for odd-chain fatty acid degradation
- catalyzed by methylmalonyl CoA mutase
- requires vitamin B12 (Folate)

Methylmalonic acidemia
- inherited enzyme (Methylmalonyl CoA mutase) deficiency OR inability to convert vitamin B12 → coenzyme form
TREATMENT
- low protein diet supplemented with vitamin B12
Branched Chain AA Degradation
Valine & Isoleucine → Succinyl** CoA (gluconeogenesis**)
Leucine → Acetyl CoA (ketogenesis)
Common Enzymes:
- first step via branched-chain aminotransferase
- second step via branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex
- if this enzyme is defective = Maple Syrup Urine Disease

Maple Syrup Urine Disease
- = branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCAD) deficiency
- autosomal recessive
- BCα-K excretion into urine = “maple syrup” odor
Symptoms
- poor feeding/ vomiting
- lethargy
- developmental delay
- If untreated → seizures, coma, death
Treatment
-
protein restricted diets supplemented with thiamin (vitamin B1)
- adding Thiamine (B1) ensures maximal activity from residual BCAD complex

4 AA Degraded to Pyruvate
- tryptophan → alanine (also acetyl CoA for ketogenesis)
- alanine → pyruvate (by alanine aminotransferase)
- cysteine → pyruvate (through loss of the sulfur)
- serine → pyruvate (via serine dehydratase; requires PLP [vit. B6])
Pyruvate converted to:
- oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis (liver): fasting, starvation, and uncontrolled diabetes
- acetyl CoA for TCA* cycle or *fatty acids: post-prandial (all tissues)
Cystathionuria
(Methionine and Threonine Catabolism)
- rare deficiency in cystothionase = accumulation in cystathionine
- benign condition

Homocystinuria
(Methionine and Threonine Catabolism)
due to deficiency in cystathionine synthase
- ↑↑ of homocysteine in urine
- methionine & homocysteine ↑↑ in blood
- CYSTEINE ↓↓
leads to:
- skeletal abnormailities
- ↑↑ risk of clotting
- lens dislocation
- intelectual diability

Aromatic Family
(Big Picture)
- Histadine
- Phenylalanine
- Tyrosine
- Tryptophan
Needed for
- Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine
- Thyroid hormones, Melanin
Disorders:
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Albinism

Histadine
Ribose 5-phosphate →→ Histidine →→ alpha ketoglutarate.
Removal of carboxylic acid group by decarboxylase from Histidine = Histamine (requires Vitamin B6 pyridoxine):
- (Histidine + decarboxylation = histamine)
- involved in the inflammatory response.
- regulate HCl secretion by gastric mucosa

Histidinemia
due to defect in histidase, harmful and untreatable.
Histidinemia Symptoms:
- ↑↑↑ of histidine
- mentally retarded with defect in speech
Tyrosine Big Picture

Phenylalanine → Tyrosine
tyrosine synthesized from phenylalanine (an essential AA)
- by phenylalanine hydroxylase
- requires 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor (small amounts)
- dihydrobiopterin reductase recycles product 7,8-dihydrobiopterin
- requires 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor (small amounts)
- rate-limiting step in catecholamine (neurotransmitters) synthesis
NOTE: tyrosine is the only non-essential AA synthesized from an essential AA

Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Classic PKU: phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency
- autosomal recessive
- ↑↑↑ phenylalanine levels (>1200 µM) = severe brain damage
- results in cognitive disabilities with seizures (if untreated)
Treatment
- LOW phenylalanine diets (& supplemental amino acids)
- treated patients mature normally
NOTE: pregnant PKU women that were not on low phenylalanine diet before conception produce abnormal child (maternal PKU; a teratogenic disorder)

Tetrahydrobiopterin Responsive PKU
dihydrobiopterin reductase deficiency
- autosomal recessive [1/106 births]
-
more severe (more profound cognitive disabilities, hypertonia, seizures)
- WHY? - other pathways also require tetrahydrobiopterin
- e.g., norepinephrine & epinephrine from tyrosine; nitric oxide from arginine

Toxic Phenylalanine Metabolism
alternate metabolism of EXCESS phenylalanine (aminotransferase: pyruvate → alanine)
- results in excessive amounts of phenylacetate & phenyllactate; toxic for the brain!!
- ↑↑↑of phenylpyruvate = “musty” or “mousy” odor in urine
- [↑↑↑] phenylalanine in blood REDUCES brain uptake of other AA
Treatment: sapropterin dihydrochloride (Kuvan)
- derivative of tetrahydrobiopterin
- given large doses to ensure maximal activity of residual phenylalanine hydroxylase
- most likely to be effective in classic PKU patients with mild hyperphenylalaninemia
5 AA Degraded to Acetyl CoA
- Tryptophan
- Phenylalanine
- Tyrosine
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
hydrophobic AA degraded to acetoacetyl CoA & acetyl CoA (ketogenesis)
- pathways similar to fatty acid degradation
- can also Fumarate & Succinyl CoA & pyruvate

Inherited Disorders of Tyrosine Degradation: Tyrosinemia II
inherited deficiency of tyrosine aminotransferase
- autosomal recessive
- 1st step of tyrosine degradation pathway inhibited
Symptoms:
-
erosions of cornea, palm, soles
- due to tyrosine crystals in cells & extracellular matrix
Treatment: low tyrosine diet

Inherited Disorders of Tyrosine Degradation: Tyrosinemia III
inherited deficiency p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase
-
2nd step in pathway inhibited
- produces homogentisate
BENIGN: because p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate readily excreted in urine

Inherited Disorders of Tyrosine Degradation: Alkaptonuria
inherited deficiency of homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase

3rd step (opens phenol ring) in pathway inhibited
autosomal recessive
homogentisate excreted in urine: forms dark pigment under basic conditions in presence of oxygen
accumulates in soft tissues and joints (induces arthritis & disc calcification)
Inherited Disorders of Tyrosine Degradation: Tyrosinemia I
inherited deficiency of fumarylacetoacetase
- 4th step via maleylacetoacetate isomerase
- produces fumarylacetoacetate via isomerization
- 5th step via fumarylacetoacetase
- hydrolysis rxn produces fumarate & acetoacetate → acetoacetyl-CoA
- autosomal recessive (1/10^5 births worldwide)
MOST SEVERE TYROSINEMIA
- presents in early infancy with failure to thrive, vomiting, jaundice, hepatomegaly, elevated liver enzymes & bleeding tendency
- requires liver transplant for cure

Tryptophan Synthesis and Derivatives
General scheme of the Tryptophan synthase reaction:
- Indole-3-Glycerole-P → Indole → Tryptophan
Tryptophan Catabolism:
- Tryptophan → Acetyl CoA → Energy or Ketone Bodies (glucogenic and ketogenic)

Clinical Correlations: Phenyl Alanine
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme:Phenylalanine hydroxylase
Accumulated Product: Phenylalanine
Disease: PKU (Classical)
Symptoms: Musty or mousy odor in urine, mental retardation and accumulation of phenyl pyruvic acid, phenylacetate and phenyllactate in urine.
Clinical Correlations: Phenyl Alanine (Non-Classic)
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme: Dihydropterindine reductase
Accumulated Product: Phenylalanine
Disease: PKU (non-classical)
Symptoms: Mental retardation and PKU classic symptoms
Clinical Correlations: Tryrosine
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme: Homogentisate oxidase
Accumulated Product: Homogentisate
Disease: Alkaptonuria
Symptoms: Black urine, arthritis
Clinical Correlations: Tryrosine I
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme: Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase
Accumulated Product: Fumarylacetoacetate
Disease: Tyrosinemia I
Symptoms: Liver failure, early death, failure to thrive, vomiting and elevated liver enzymes, cabbage-like odor
Clinical Correlations: Tryrosine II
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme: Tyrosine aminotransferase
Accumulated Product: Tyrosine
Disease: Tyrosinemia II
Symptoms: Neurologic defects
Clinical Correlations: Tryrosine III
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?
Defective Enzyme: para-Hydroxy phenylpyruvate dioxygenase
Accumulated Product: Para-Hydroxy phenylpyruvate (but excreted via urine)
Disease: Tyrosinemia III
Symptoms: BENIGN
Clinical Correlations: Branched Chain AA (LEU, ISO,VAL)
Defective Enzyme:?
Accumulated Product:?
Disease: ?
Symptoms: ?

Defective Enzyme: Branched-chain-α-keto acid dehydrogenase
Accumulated Product: α-keto acids of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine
Disease: Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
Symptoms: Urine smells like maple syrup or burnt sugar. Mental retardation, poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, developmental delay. If untreated leads to coma and death
Summary Charts
