BIOCHEMISTRY - Textbook - Ostapchenko L. I. - 2012

Chapter 6. AMINO ACID METABOLISM AND FUNCTIONS. PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS

The Biological Significance of Amino Acids is primarily determined by their utilization in Protein Synthesis. Protein METABOLISM holds a special place in the Metabolic exchange between the Organism and the external environment. This is because Proteins are integral to all major Structural components of Cells, Tissues, and Organs in humans and animals, perform enzymatic Functions, and participate in the Transmembrane Transport of substances, among other roles. Protein Hormones also play a vital role in coordinating the functions of all cellular systems.

Amino acids are directly involved in the Biosynthesis not only of proteins, but also of a wide range of other biologically active compounds that regulate metabolic processes in the body, such as amino acid-derived hormones. Furthermore, amino acids serve as nitrogen Donors for the synthesis of all non-protein nitrogenous compounds, including NUCLEOTIDES, heme, creatine, Choline, and other substances.

Amino Acid Catabolism can serve as an energy source for ATP synthesis. The energy-supplying function of amino acids becomes particularly significant during starvation, certain pathological states (such as Diabetes Mellitus), and predominantly high-protein diets. It is precisely Amino acid metabolism that interlinks the diverse chemical transformations occurring within a living organism.