L-Alanine (Ala)

L-Alanine is a non-essential alpha-amino acid that serves as a fundamental building block for protein synthesis in all living organisms (PubChem CID 5950). It plays a pivotal role in the glucose-alanine cycle, a metabolic pathway where alanine is transported from muscle to the liver to be converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis (StatPearls NBK542205). This process is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting and exercise. While alanine itself is not a traditional therapeutic target for drug intervention, its metabolic enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), are critical clinical biomarkers for liver health and systemic metabolic function (NIH/MedlinePlus). In a pharmacological context, alanine is primarily utilized as a component of parenteral nutrition and dietary supplements rather than as a site for small molecule or biologic binding (DrugBank DB00155). Imbalances in alanine metabolism are associated with various conditions, including hyperalaninemia and certain urea cycle disorders (OMIM 603580).

Other names

(S)-2-aminopropanoic acidL-alpha-alanine2-Aminopropionic acidL-Ala

L-Alanine is not a therapeutic target; it serves as a fundamental substrate for protein synthesis and a key intermediate in the glucose-alanine cycle for gluconeogenesis (StatPearls NBK542205).