2-Aminoadipic acid

2-Aminoadipic acid is an amino acid that is a derivative of lysine. It is also known as alpha-aminoadipic acid or α-aminoadipic acid. It is a key intermediate in the lysine degradation pathway and is also involved in several metabolic pathways in the human body.

Structure and Properties

2-Aminoadipic acid is a six-carbon diamino acid with two amino groups (-NH2) and one carboxylic acid group (-COOH). The structure of 2-aminoadipic acid is similar to that of the essential amino acid lysine, except that it has an additional carboxyl group.

Biological Role

In humans, 2-aminoadipic acid is a metabolic intermediate in the degradation of lysine. It is produced by the enzyme lysine 6-dehydrogenase, which oxidizes lysine to form 2-aminoadipic acid. This compound is then further metabolized by the enzyme 2-aminoadipic 6-semialdehyde dehydrogenase to form 2-aminoadipic semialdehyde, which is then converted to glutamic acid.

In addition to its role in lysine metabolism, 2-aminoadipic acid has been implicated in several other biological processes. For example, it has been found to inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells, and it has been suggested as a potential biomarker for the early detection of diabetes.

Clinical Significance

Elevated levels of 2-aminoadipic acid in the blood or urine can be indicative of a number of medical conditions. For example, it can be a sign of hyperlysinemia, a rare genetic disorder characterized by an excess of lysine in the blood. It can also be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is too fast.

See Also

• Lysine
• Amino acid
• Metabolism

References

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