Laminine Research

Amino acids aremolecules containing an amine group (NH2), a carboxylic acid (COOH)
group and a side chain that varies. In an alpha amino acid,the amino and carboxylate
groups are attached to the same carbon atom, which is called theα‐carbon. The various
alpha amino acids differin which (R group) is attached to their alpha carbon.
These side chains can vary in size fromjust a hydrogen atominGlycine to amethyl
group in Alanine through to a large heterocyclic group in Tryptophan.
Amino acids are criticalto life, and havemany functionsinmetabolism.One particularly
importantfunction is asthe building blocks of proteins, which are linear(straight) chains
of amino acids. Every protein is chemically defined by this primary structure, while its
unique sequence of amino acid residues, in turn define the three dimensionalstructure
ofthe protein. Amino acids are linked togetherin varying sequencesto forma vast
variety of proteins. Amino acids are also importantinmany other biologicalmolecules,
and due to this centralrole in biochemistry,they are very importantin nutrition.
Amino acidsjoin togetherto formshort polymer chains called peptides orlonger chains
called either polypeptides or proteins. These polymers are linear and unbranched, with
each amino acid within the chain attached to two neighbouring amino acids.
Twenty‐two amino acids are naturally incorporated into polypeptides and are called
proteinogenic orstandard amino acids.Ofthe twenty‐two standard amino acids, eight
are called essential amino acids because the human body cannotsynthesize themfrom
other compounds atthe level needed for normal growth,so theymust be obtained
fromfood.However,the situation is quite complicated since cysteine, Taurine, Tyrosine,
Histidine and Arginine are semiessential amino acidsin children, because themetabolic
pathwaysthatsynthesize these amino acids are notfully developed.The amountsrequired also depend on the age and health ofthe individual,so itis hard to make
generalstatements aboutthe dietary requirementforsome amino acids.
Non‐protein functions of Amino Acids: Besides building proteins,many amino acids are
used to synthesize othermolecules,for example:

Tryptophan is a precursor ofthe neurotransmitterseratonin. Almost 80% ofthe
serotonin in a human body isfound in the gut, where itissecreted and absorbed into
the blood platelets, and helpsregulate criticalfunctionslike blood cotting and wound
healing. The remainderissynthesized in serotonergic neuronsin the CentralNervous
System, where it has variousfunctions, including the regulation ofmood, appetite,
sleep,muscle contraction, and some cognitive functionsincludingmemory and learning.
Glycine is a precursor of porpyrins, which isthe red pigmentin blood.
Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which is an importantsignalingmolecule in
Mammals.NOis one ofthe few gaseoussignalingmolecules known. Itis a key
vertebrate biologicalmessenger, playing a role in a variety of biological processes. The
(innerlining) of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signalthe surrounding smoothmuscle
to relax,thusresulting in whatis called vasolidation which increases blood flow.Nitric
oxide is highly reactive (having a lifetime of a few seconds), yet diffusesfreely across our
body’smembranes. These attributesmake nitric oxide ideal as a signalingmolecule
between adjacent cells as well as within a single cell. Effectsinclude vasodilatation,
modulation ofthe hair cycle, and penile erections(through its ability to vasolidate).
Sildenafil Citrate, popularly known by the trade name Viagra,stimulates erections
primarily by enhancing signaling through the nitric oxide pathway in the penis.
Nitric oxide (NO) contributesto vessel homeostasis by inhibiting vascularsmooth
muscle contraction and growth, platelet aggregation, and leukocyte adhesion to the
endothelium.Humans with atherosclerosis, diabetes or hypertension often show
impairedNOpathways.
Glycine and glutamine are precursors of nucleotides.Nucleotides aremoleculesthat,
when joined together,make up the structural units of RNA andDNA. In addition,
nucleotides play centralrolesinmetabolism. In that capacity,they serve assources of
chemical energy (adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate), participate in
cellularsignaling