Isoleucine

Description

Isoleucine ( abbreviated as Ile or I ) is an α - amino acid with the chemical formula HO₂CCH(NH₂)CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Its codons are AUU, AUC and AUA.
With a hydrocarbon side chain, isoleucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid. Together with threonine, isoleucine is one of two common amino acids that have a chiral side chain. Four stereoisomers of isoleucine are possible, including two possible diastereomers of L-isoleucine. However, isoleucine present in nature exists in one enantiomeric form, (2S,3S)-2-amino-3-methylpentanoic acid.

Chemical properties

Crystals. Slightly soluble in water; nearly insoluble in alcohol; insoluble in ether.

Occurrence

Even though this amino acid is not produced in animals, it is stored in high quantities. Foods that have high amounts of isoleucine include eggs, soy protein, seaweed, turkey, chicken, lamb, cheese, and fish.

The Uses of Isoleucine

Amino acid.

Definition

An essential amino acid, found naturally in the L(+) form.

Biosynthesis

As an essential nutrient, it is not synthesized in the body, hence it must be ingested, usually as a component of proteins. In plants and microorganisms, it is synthesized via several steps, starting from pyruvic acid and alpha - keto glutarate. Enzymes involved in this biosynthesis include :
Aceto lactate synthase (also known as aceto hydroxy acid synthase)
Aceto hydroxy acid iso meroreductase
Dihydroxy acid dehydratase
Valine amino transferase.

Synthesis

Isoleucine can be synthesized in a multistep procedure starting from 2-bromobutane and diethylmalonate.Synthetic isoleucine was originally reported in 1905.
German chemist Felix Ehrlich discovered isoleucine in hemoglobin in 1903.

Metabolism

Isoleucine is both a glucogenic and a ketogenic amino acid. After transamination with alpha-ketoglutarate the carbon skeleton can be converted into either Succinyl CoA, and fed into the TCA cycle for oxidation or converted into oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis (hence glucogenic). It can also be converted into Acetyl CoA and fed into the TCA cycle by condensing with oxaloacetate to form citrate. In mammals Acetyl CoA cannot be converted back to carbohydrate but can be used in the synthesis of ketone bodies or fatty acids, hence ketogenic.