Q. 18.69 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What metabolic substrate(s) are produced from the carbon atoms of each of the following amino acids?

a. alanine

b. aspartate

c. tyrosine

d. glutamine

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Metabolic substrate(s) produced from the carbon atoms of each of the following amino acids is (are):-

a. alanine- pyruvate

b. aspartate- oxaloacetate 

c. tyrosine- fumarate and aceto-acetate 

d. glutamine-  $\alpha$-ketoglutarate 

Part(a) Step 1: Given information

We have been given a amino acid alanine.

We need to find out what metabolic substrate(s) are produced from the carbon atoms of given amino acid.

Part(a) Step 2: Explanation

Pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, acetoacetyl-CoA, $\alpha$-ketoglutarate, suc-CoA, fumarate, and oxaloacetate are the seven products of amino acid carbon skeleton catabolism. In the energy metabolism, they have a different fate.

Transamination removes the amino group from alanine, resulting in pyruvate. 

Part(b) Step 1: Given information

We have been given a amino acid aspartate.

We need to find out what metabolic substrate(s) are produced from the carbon atoms of given amino acid.

Part(b) Step 2: Explanation

Pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, acetoacetyl-CoA, $\alpha$-ketoglutarate, suc-CoA, fumarate, and oxaloacetate are the seven products of amino acid carbon skeleton catabolism. In the energy metabolism, they have a different fate. Transamination removes the amino group from aspartate, resulting in oxaloacetate. 

Part(c) Step 1: Given information

We have been given a amino acid tyrosine.

We need to find out what metabolic substrate(s) are produced from the carbon atoms of given amino acid.

Part(c) Step 2: Explanation

Pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, acetoacetyl-CoA, $\alpha$-ketoglutarate, suc-CoA, fumarate, and oxaloacetate are the seven products of amino acid carbon skeleton catabolism. In the energy metabolism, they have a different fate.

Tyrosine has glucogenic and ketogenic properties. During catabolism, fumarate and aceto-acetate are generated. 

Part(d) Step 1: Given information

We have been given a amino acid glutamine.

We need to find out what metabolic substrate(s) are produced from the carbon atoms of given amino acid.

Part(d) Step 2: Explanation

Pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, acetoacetyl-CoA, $\alpha$-ketoglutarate, suc-CoA, fumarate, and oxaloacetate are the seven products of amino acid carbon skeleton catabolism. In the energy metabolism, they have a different fate.

$\alpha$-ketoglutarate is produced from glutamine amino acid.