Threonine
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| Stereochemistry of Threonine |
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| Chiral Centers of Threonine |
Threonine is an essential polar amino acid, that cannot be manufactured in the body alone. It is found in the heart, skeletal muscles, and central nervous tissues in high amounts. Threonine is required for the production of glycine and serine, two of the most important amino acids that aid in the production of collagen and muscle tissue. This amino acid helps in many other body functions including: strengthening tooth enamel, aiding in recovering from wounds, and promoting thymus growth. A deficiency of Threonine is not life threatening, however, it could lead to other life difficulties. Great food sources of Threonine are: cottage cheese, meat products, sesame seeds and mushrooms. Threonine is very important for a healthy lifestyle.
References
"Threonine." Fitness Republic, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. <http://www.fitnessrepublic.com/nutrition/nutrients/minerals/amino-acids/threonine.html>.
I think it's funny to read information and such and to think of proteins, a general nutrition term that we've heard for years, and imagine such as a chiral molecule with such an important job. It makes me wonder how and what atoms in this molecule do what they do. And how the arrangement of these atoms (hence the chirality) is so importance as far as the function. Also the arrangement of the OH and double bonded O makes me wonder was this molecule originally a enol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know mushrooms was a food source of Threonine, very interesting.
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