Glutamic Acid: Difference between revisions

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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>&nbsp;&nbsp; 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]].  
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]].  
 
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 [[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.  
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]]&nbsp;<ref>Bordji K et al.J Neurosci. 2010 Nov 24;30(47):15927-42</ref>, thought to be important in memory and learning.<br>
 
 


= References =
= References =


[1] Jin SX ''et al'', PLoS One, Jul 2010&nbsp; vol. 5 (7), 11732
<references />

Latest revision as of 12:38, 26 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. Bordji K et al.J Neurosci. 2010 Nov 24;30(47):15927-42