Cited by 3,004Amino Acid Enzymes and MetabolismAnimal Nutrition and PhysiologyMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Amino acids: Metabolism, functions, and nutrition

Wu, Guoyao·2009·Amino Acids

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed the discovery that amino acids (AA) are not only cell signaling molecules but are also regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. Additionally, AA are key precursors for syntheses of hormones and low-molecular weight nitrogenous substances with each having enormous biological importance. Physiological concentrations of AA and their metabolites (e.g., nitric oxide, polyamines, glutathione, taurine, thyroid hormones, and serotonin) are required for the functions. However, elevated levels of AA and their products (e.g., ammonia, homocysteine, and asymmetric dimethylarginine) are pathogenic factors for neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, an optimal balance among AA in the diet and circulation is crucial for whole body homeostasis. There is growing recognition that besides their role as building blocks of proteins and polypeptides, some AA regulate key metabolic pathways that are necessary for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and immunity. They are called functional AA, which include arginine, cysteine, glutamine, leucine, proline, and tryptophan. Dietary supplementation with one or a mixture of these AA may be beneficial for (1) ameliorating health problems at various stages of the life cycle (e.g., fetal growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and mortality, weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction and wasting syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility); (2) optimizing efficiency of metabolic transformations to enhance muscle growth, milk production, egg and meat quality and athletic performance, while preventing excess fat deposition and reducing adiposity. Thus, AA have important functions in both nutrition and health.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00726-009-0269-0

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Authors
Wu, G.
Affiliations
Texas A&M University (US)
Corresponding author
Wu, Guoyao
Venue
Amino Acids
Published
2009-03-20
Volume
37
Issue
1
Pages
1-17
ISSN
  • 0939-4451 (ISSN-L)
  • 1438-2199
OpenAlex
W1997975781
Cited by
3,004
References
160
Citations by year
2026: 193 · 2025: 290 · 2024: 301 · 2023: 248 · 2022: 268 · 2021: 241 · 2020: 231 · 2019: 209 · 2018: 166 · 2017: 155 · 2016: 138 · 2015: 100 · 2014: 102 · 2013: 99 · 2012: 95
FWCI
6.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Amino Acids (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • National Institutes of Health (5r21hd049449-02)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1R21 HD049449)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
amino acid metabolism, functional amino acids, amino acid supplementation, L-arginine, cysteine, glutamine, leucine, proline, tryptophan, amino acid signaling, gene expression regulation, protein phosphorylation, homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, metabolic syndrome, obesity, infertility, muscle growth, athletic performance, amino acid homeostasis
MeSH terms
Amino Acids, Animals, Diabetes Mellitus, Homeostasis, Humans, Immunity, Nutritional Requirements, Obesity, Reproduction, Gene Expression, Dietary Supplements, Metabolic Syndrome, Metabolic Networks and Pathways

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