Glutamic Acid: Difference between revisions
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Glutamic acid/Glutamate (denoted as Glu or E) is one of the 20 naturally occuring [[ | Glutamic acid/Glutamate (denoted as Glu or E) is one of the 20 naturally occuring [[Amino acids|amino acids]], and one of the two [[Acidity|acidic]], negatively charged amino acids, along with [[Aspartic acid|Aspartic acid/Aspartate]] (Asp, or D). The negative charge of E occurs due to the presence of a [[Carboxylic acid|carboxylic acid]] group (COOH) in the [[R chain|R chain]] (as well as with D), which is ionized to it's negative form at physiological [[PH|pH]].<br> Due to this nagative charge, E is [[Hydrophilic|hydrophilic]]; a characteristic shared by the 10 charged and unchared polar amino acids [[Aspartic acid|D]], E, [[Arginine|R]],[[Lysine|K]], [[Histidine|H]], [[Asparagine|N]], [[Glutamine|Q]], [[Serine|S]], [[Threonine|T]] and [[Tyrosine|Y]]. | ||
E is encoded genetically by two [[Codon|codons]]; GAA and GAG. | E is encoded genetically by two [[Codon|codons]]; GAA and GAG. | ||
E has a role in the body as a [[ | E has a role in the body as a [[Neurotransmitter|neurotransmitter]], acting on glutamate receptors including the [[NMDA receptor|NMDA receptor]] and playing a role in [[Synaptic plasticity|synaptic plasticity]] [1], thought to be important in memory and learning. | ||
= References = | |||
[1] Jin SX ''et al'', PLoS One, Jul 2010 vol. 5 (7), 11732 | |||
Revision as of 15:32, 25 November 2010
Glutamic acid/Glutamate (denoted as Glu or E) is one of the 20 naturally occuring amino acids, and one of the two acidic, negatively charged amino acids, along with Aspartic acid/Aspartate (Asp, or D). The negative charge of E occurs due to the presence of a carboxylic acid group (COOH) in the R chain (as well as with D), which is ionized to it's negative form at physiological pH.
Due to this nagative charge, E is hydrophilic; a characteristic shared by the 10 charged and unchared polar amino acids D, E, R,K, H, N, Q, S, T and Y.
E is encoded genetically by two codons; GAA and GAG.
E has a role in the body as a neurotransmitter, acting on glutamate receptors including the NMDA receptor and playing a role in synaptic plasticity [1], thought to be important in memory and learning.
References
[1] Jin SX et al, PLoS One, Jul 2010 vol. 5 (7), 11732