Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be obtained from the human diet. It has the single amino acid code W (see single letter amino acid codes) and the 3 letter code Trp. It is coded for in the genome by the nucleotide base sequence UGG [1].
Medical Uses
Tryptophan is also a drug which is used to treat depression, when other antidepressants have been otherwise uneffective [2]. Neurotransmitter serotonin is derived from tryptophan [3].
References
[3] Serotonin synthesis, release and reuptake in terminals: a mathematical model. J Best. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20723248. Published: 19th August 2010, Cited:17th October 2016
- ↑ https://www.dna20.com/codontablewheel.php
- ↑ Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2002). Biochemistry (5th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman.