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The mysterious role of D-aspartate: why is it not involved in protein synthesis?
Amino acids play a vital role in the construction of proteins. One of these amino acids is aspartic acid, especially in its L-form, which is the main form our bodies use to synthesize proteins. However, D-aspartic acid is not involved in protein synthesis, which has attracted widespread attention and research from scientists.
The D-form of aspartate is thought to play an important role in certain biological functions, although it is not directly involved in protein construction.
The L-form of aspartic acid is well known to us as an α-amino acid, but its D-form plays a relatively limited role in organisms. D-aspartate has been found to be primarily involved in the formation of some peptides, as well as acting as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. This lack of involvement in synthesis has aroused the interest of the biochemical community, especially when exploring the physiological functions of these amino acids.
Biosynthesis and structure
The enzymes involved in the synthesis of aspartate are mainly aminotransferases, which are usually generated from oxaloacetate through transamination. This suggests that while the body can synthesize aspartate, the D-form is not directly involved in the process, making its role in the biosynthetic pathway even more mysterious.
Although D-aspartic acid is not involved in protein synthesis, it still plays an important role in amino acid metabolism and various biochemical processes.
Metabolism and physiological functions
In plants and microorganisms, aspartic acid is the precursor of a variety of amino acids, including essential amino acids for humans, such as methionine, threonine, isoleucine and lysine. This shows the importance of D-aspartate in a larger biological context, rather than just focusing on its ability to participate in protein synthesis.
The role of neurotransmitters
D-Aspartate also plays a role in neurotransmitter transmission. It stimulates NMDA receptors, although it is not as potent as L-glutamic acid, another major amino acid. This shows its diverse functions in energy metabolism and neuronal communication.
Market and Application
In the market, the demand for aspartic acid is growing steadily. In 2014, the global market value of aspartic acid was approximately US$117 million, and its main applications include biodegradable polymers, low-calorie sweeteners and other industrial uses. It can be seen that even though D-aspartic acid does not account for a high proportion in protein synthesis, it meets the needs of various industries and biotechnology to a certain extent.
Conclusion
In general, although D-aspartic acid is not directly involved in protein synthesis, it still plays an important role in human physiological and biochemical processes. This paradoxical coexistence encourages us to delve deeper into the deeper biological meaning behind this amino acid. So, will scientists be able to find more clues about the mysterious role of D-aspartic acid in the future?
