Arellano, Ma. Kristelle Joyce S.

3BIO5 January 30, 2018

FUNCTIONS OF AMINO ACIDS

CYSTEINE

 In the intracellular environment Cysteine can still play a key structural role. Their
sulfhydryl side-chain is excellent for binding to metals, such as zinc, meaning the
Cysteine (and other amino acids such as Histidines) are very common in metal binding
motifs such as zinc fingers.
(Food sources of methionine are: all meats and poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, quinoa,
buckwheat, sesame seeds, Brazil nuts, and to a lesser degree dry spirulina.)
 Some of the cysteine that does get produced from methionine can be used for
manufacturing glutathione inside the cells.
 NAC stands for N-acetyl-cysteine (also known as n-acetyl-l-cysteine). It has been used as
an effective drug for breaking up mucus in lungs of patients with asthma,
emphysema, chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. This drug is an active component
in inhalers.

 SERINE

 Serine is an important component of proteins in the brain, and a compound the body
makes from serine, phosphatidylserine, is an important component in the myelin sheaths
that protect nerve cells from chemical and mechanical injury. Too much serine, however,
can be toxic to nerve cells.
 It is involved in the metabolic processes that burn glucose and fatty acids for energy.
 It is involved in the making of all four of the A-G-C-T bases of DNA, and it provides
methyl groups involved in the methylation of DNA.
 The body uses serine to make creatine, which combines with water to "pump up" muscle
mass.
 Serine is a component of the antibodies and immunoglobulins that fight infections,
and it is a component of choline, ethanolamine, sarcosine, and phospholipids involved in
the transmission of signals through the nervous system.
 Serine can be converted to pyruvate, which enables the muscles and the liver to release
stored glucose from glycogen.

 TRYPTOPHAN

 Tryptophan and tyrosine residues play special roles in "anchoring" membrane proteins
within the cell membrane.
 Tryptophan is essential for the production of the B vitamin, niacin, which is vital for the
brain to manufacture the key neurotransmitter, serotonin.
 It enhances the release of growth hormones, and suppresses the appetite.
  It is used by the brain to produce serotonin, a necessary neurotransmitter that
transfers nerve impulses from one cell to another and is responsible for normal sleep.
 Tryptophan helps to depression and insomnia and to stabilize moods.
 It helps to control hyperactivity in children, alleviates stress, is good for the heart,
aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and enhances the release of growth
hormone.
 It is good for migraine headaches and may reduce, some of the effects of nicotine.

 TYROSINE

 Tyrosine is a major precursor for several neurotransmitters. Because of its role in

neural stimulation, tyrosine may directly affect processes in the brain, including cognitive
function and mood.
 Tyrosine also can be modified to change the function or activity of a particular protein
that can lead to cell communication, or cell signaling.
 In the brain, tyrosine is used to synthesize a class of neurotransmitters known as
catecholamines, which includes epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.
 Tyrosine is important for the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Your
thyroid gland is responsible for releasing these hormones to stimulate metabolic activity
in your cells and tissues.
 Tyrosine is the major chemical substrate for the synthesis of melanin, which is the
pigment in your skin, eyes and hair. Specialized skin cells make melanin by oxidizing
tyrosine with an enzyme called tyrosinase.

 HISTIDINE

 Histidine is an amino acid that is used to develop and maintain healthy tissues in all parts
of the body, particularly the myelin sheaths that coat nerve cells and ensure the
transmission of messages from the brain to various parts of the body. It may be
useful for treatment of mental disorders as well as certain types of sexual
dysfunction.
 Histidine is important to normal sexual functioning, because it gets converted into
histamine, a chemical needed to stimulate sexual arousal. When taken together
with vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), histidine can increase sexual
pleasure by boosting histamine levels in the body.
 Histamine is also needed to help the immune system know when the body is
experiencing an allergic reaction, and for the production of gastric juices needed for
normal digestion.
 Histidine also acts as a natural detoxifier, protecting against radiation damage, and
removing heavy metals from the system. It may even help prevent the onset of AIDS.
Histidine is crucial to the production of both red and white blood cells.

REFERENCES

1. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2018, from http://www.russelllab.org/aas/Cys.html

2. Cysteine - the Most Important Building Block for Cellular Glutathione
Production. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2018, from
http://www.immunehealthscience.com/cysteine.html

3. What Everyone Needs to Know About Serine? (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2018,
from http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/serine.html

4. Campbell, W. R. (2012, March 15). Tryptophan: The essential amino acid that is
needed to maintain optimum health. Retrieved January 29, 2018, from
https://blissreturned.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/tryptophan-the-essential-amino-
acid-that-is-needed-to-maintain-optimum-health/

5. Tryptophan. (2018, January 25). Retrieved January 29, 2018, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan

6. Hypertryptophanemia. (2018, January 24). Retrieved January 29, 2018, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertryptophanemia

7. Histidine. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2018, from

http://www.vitaminstuff.com/amino-acid-histidine.html