Trifluoroalanine

Trifluoroalanine is a fluorinated amino acid derivative that serves as a valuable tool in chemical synthesis and biochemical research. It is utilized as a building block for constructing complex molecules, such as trisubstituted oxazoles and trifluoroalanine dipeptides. In biological systems, Trifluoroalanine functions as an inhibitor for various enzymes, including O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS), cystathionine β synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ lyase (CSE), 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase, tryptophan indole-lyase, tryptophan synthase, alanine racemase, and gamma-cystathionase. Its inhibitory actions often occur through mechanism-based or suicide inactivation, leveraging the unique chemical properties conferred by its trifluoromethyl group. These characteristics make it important for elucidating enzyme mechanisms and exploring potential drug candidates.

Other names

beta, beta, beta-trifluoroalanine3,3,3-trifluoroalanine