Alanine is crucial for preserving balanced levels of nitrogen and glucose in the body, which it does through a series of chemical actions called the alanine cycle. During the alanine cycle, any excess amino acids (proteins) in cells or tissues are transferred to a receptor molecule called pyruvate, which is produced by the breakdown of glucose. The pyruvate is then converted to alanine and transferred to the liver. The liver extracts nitrogen from alanine and converts some of it back into pyruvate, which can then be used to produce more glucose. Any excess nitrogen is then converted into urea and passed out of the body during urination. This cycle, glucose-pyruvate-alanine-pyruvate-glucose, helps supply the body with the energy it needs to support cellular life. It also ensures that a constant supply of pyruvate is available to allow the synthesis of glucose and amino acids in the body.
Alanine is a nonpolar amino acid with an aliphatic R group (-CH3), therefore it does not easily dissolve in water. Amino acids for polymers that make up proteins which carry out many of required functions of a cell. An aliphatic R group means that the substituent is not aromatic but rather has a carbon based chain like an alkane. The side chain of Alanine tends to cluster together within proteins which in turn stabilize the internal structure of the protein by means of hydrophobic interactions. The hydrophobic interactions give the protein more stability and help to dictate secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. This methyl group makes Alanine one of the more simple amino acids from a molecular pint of view. The methyl group is rarely directly involved in enzymatic reactions. Like all twenty of the common amino acids, the ?-carbon is attached to the methyl substituent as well as the amino and carboxyl groups of the main backbone of the amino acid. Alanine is also ambivalent, meaning that it can be found both inside and outside of the protein.
Alanine can be abbreviated with the three letter combination of Ala or with the single letter A. The chemical formula is CH3CH(NH2)COOH. It is a nonessential amino acid and is directly produced by the body. It is also required for metabolism of glucose, a simple carbohydrate that the body uses for energy, and tryptophan in the body. Alanine is a plays a key role in important source of energy for the muscle tissue, brain and central nervous system. It also helps to produce antibodies for the immune system. Alanine plays a major role in the transfer of nitrogen from peripheral tissue to the liver in the glucose-alanine cycle.
