Metabolic pathways involved in amino acid metabolism

The term "metabolic pathways involved in amino acid metabolism" collectively describes the enzymatic networks responsible for the synthesis (anabolism), breakdown (catabolism), and interconversion of amino acids in cells. These pathways encompass both the biosynthesis of essential and nonessential amino acids, as well as the degradation routes by which amino acids are deaminated and their carbon skeletons are fed into central metabolic cycles such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the urea cycle[1][3][5]. Enzymes and transporters—including aminotransferases, dehydrogenases, and solute carrier family proteins (SLCs)—mediate these reactions and regulate cellular amino acid pools[4][5][6][7]. Amino acid metabolism is involved in energy production, biosynthesis of proteins and signaling molecules (such as neurotransmitters), antioxidant synthesis (e.g., glutathione), and epigenetic regulation (via methyl group donation through methionine)[3][5]. Dysregulation of these metabolic networks plays major roles in cancer, metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, obesity), neurological diseases, and inherited metabolic conditions[5][6][9]. This does not represent a single gene, receptor, or protein, and cannot be directly targeted by a drug. Instead, specific components within these pathways (e.g., enzymes such as glutaminase, alanine aminotransferase, or transporters like SLC7A5/LAT1) serve as individual therapeutic targets[2][6][9]. If you need information on a particular enzyme or transporter within amino acid metabolism, please specify.

Other names

Amino acid metabolic pathwaysAmino acid metabolismAmino acid biosynthesis and degradation