The essential amino acid lysine acts as precursor of glutamate in the mammalian central nervous system

FEBS Letters

Langone, Francesco²  Trigo, Jose R.¹  Papes, Fabio³  Surpili, Marcelo J.³  Arruda, Paulo³ 

[1] Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil;Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofisica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil;Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genetica, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil

关键词: Lysine;    Saccharopine;    Amino acid catabolism;    Neurotransmitter;    Brain;    LOR;    lysine-2-oxoglutarate reductase;    SDH;    saccharopine dehydrogenase;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(00)02401-7

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

Lysine has long been recognized as an essential amino acid for humans and the lack or low supply of this compound in the diet may lead to mental and physical handicaps. Since lysine is severely restricted in cereals, the most important staple food in the world, the understanding of its biological roles must be a major concern. Here we show that lysine is an important precursor for de novo synthesis of glutamate, the most significant excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. We also show that the synthesis of glutamate from lysine, which is carried out by the saccharopine pathway, is likely to take place in neurons.

【 授权许可】

Unknown