Amino Acid Catabolism: An Overlooked Area of Metabolism

Abstract

Amino acids have been extensively studied in nutrition, mainly as key elements for maintaining optimal protein synthesis in the body as well as precursors of various nitrogen-containing compounds. However, it is now known that amino acid catabolism is an important element for the metabolic control of different biological processes, although it is still a developing field to have a deeper understanding of its biological implications. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of amino acid catabolism now include the contribution of the gut microbiota to amino acid oxidation and metabolite generation in the intestine, the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional control, and the participation of specific miRNAs involved in the regulation of amino acid degrading enzymes. In addition, molecules derived from amino acid catabolism play a role in metabolism as they are used in the epigenetic regulation of many genes. Thus, this review aims to examine the mechanisms of amino acid catabolism and to support the idea that this process is associated with the immune response, abnormalities during obesity, in particular insulin resistance, and the regulation of thermogenesis.

Salicylic acid enhances cell growth, fatty acid and astaxanthin production in heterotrophic Chromochloris zofingiensis without reactive oxygen species elevation

“…Amino acids, constituting the fundamental building blocks of living organisms, serve as another main source of acetyl-CoA through their degradation. Engaging in amino acid metabolism not only facilitates energy production, but also enables the synthesis of critical molecules like acetyl-CoA, while simultaneously maintaining cellular nutritional equilibrium [ 31 ]. In this study, the utilization of KEGG enrichment analysis unveiled metabolic pathways involved in the degradation of tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine.…”