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π§ AMINO ACID DEGRADATION & SYNTHESIS - MASTER GUIDE
(Lippincott Chapter 20 - Everything, Fast & Easy)
π PART 1: THE BIG PICTURE FIRST
Think of amino acids as Lego blocks. When you break them down (catabolism), they fall into just 7 bins:
"Pretty Orange Foxes Smell Awful Awful Again"
Pyruvate | Oxaloacetate | Fumarate | Succinyl-CoA | Acetyl-CoA | Acetoacetate | Ξ±-Ketoglutarate
These 7 intermediates feed into the TCA cycle for energy OR into gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis.
π PART 2: GLUCOGENIC vs KETOGENIC AAs
Rule: Glucogenic = makes glucose | Ketogenic = makes ketone bodies
| Type | Intermediates formed | AAs |
|---|
| Glucogenic | Pyruvate, OAA, Ξ±-KG, Fumarate, Succinyl-CoA | Most AAs |
| Ketogenic ONLY | Acetyl-CoA, Acetoacetate | Leucine, Lysine |
| BOTH | Pyruvate + acetoacetate | Phe, Tyr, Trp, Ile |
π Mnemonic: ONLY ketogenic = "Lean Lions" = Leucine + Lysine
These two can NEVER make glucose. Period.
π Mnemonic: BOTH gluco + keto = "PiTy TWo Iguanas" = Phe, Tyr, Trp, Ile
π PART 3: WHERE EACH AA GOES - THE 7 BINS
π΅ BIN 1: β OXALOACETATE (OAA)
AAs: Asparagine β Aspartate β OAA
- Asparagine first loses its amide group (via asparaginase) β becomes Aspartate
- Aspartate then gets transaminated β OAA
Clinical pearl: Asparaginase is used in leukemia treatment - it depletes plasma asparagine, starving cancer cells that can't synthesize it themselves.
π΅ BIN 2: β Ξ±-KETOGLUTARATE (Ξ±-KG)
AAs: Glutamine, Glutamate, Proline, Arginine, Histidine
π Mnemonic: "Glutamine Gobbles Prolines And Histidines" β Ξ±-KG
- Glutamine β Glutamate (via glutaminase) β Ξ±-KG (via GDH)
- Proline, Arginine β all convert to Glutamate β then Ξ±-KG
- Histidine β FIGlu β Glutamate β Ξ±-KG (needs folate)
- β οΈ FIGlu test = detects folate deficiency (FIGlu accumulates without folate)
π΅ BIN 3: β PYRUVATE
AAs: Alanine, Serine, Glycine, Cysteine, Threonine
π Mnemonic: "A Silly Goat Can Trot" = Alanine, Serine, Glycine, Cysteine, Threonine
| AA | Key Point |
|---|
| Alanine | Directly transaminated β Pyruvate. MAJOR gluconeogenic AA |
| Serine | Can go β Glycine + N5,N10-methylene-THF, OR β Pyruvate via serine dehydratase |
| Glycine | β Serine. Also β CO2 + NH3, or β Glyoxylate β Oxalate = kidney stones (Primary Oxaluria Type 1) |
| Cysteine | Desulfuration β Pyruvate. Sulfate β PAPS (activated sulfur donor) |
| Threonine | β Pyruvate OR β Ξ±-Ketobutyrate β Succinyl-CoA |
β οΈ Glycine β Oxalate: Excess oxalate = calcium oxalate kidney stones. This is Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1.
π΅ BIN 4: β FUMARATE
AAs: Phenylalanine & Tyrosine
- Phe β Tyr (via phenylalanine hydroxylase, requires BH4)
- Both ultimately β Fumarate + Acetoacetate (so BOTH glucogenic AND ketogenic)
Disorder chain for Phe/Tyr:
Phe β Tyr β DOPA β Melanin
β β (blocked in Albinism)
Homogentisate
β (blocked in Alkaptonuria)
Fumarate + Acetoacetate
π΅ BIN 5: β SUCCINYL-CoA
AAs: Methionine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine
π Mnemonic: "MaVITa goes to Succinyl" = Methionine, Valine, Isoleucine, Threonine
The Propionyl-CoA connection: Valine, Isoleucine, and Threonine all go through:
AA β Propionyl-CoA β (biotin + Vit B12) β Methylmalonyl-CoA β Succinyl-CoA
Methionine Special Pathway (SAM Cycle):
Methionine
β + ATP
SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) β MAJOR METHYL DONOR
β (donates methyl group)
SAH (S-adenosylhomocysteine)
β
Homocysteine ββ remethylated back to Methionine (needs Folate + B12)
β (transsulfuration, needs B6)
Cysteine + Ξ±-Ketobutyrate β Propionyl-CoA β Succinyl-CoA
π Mnemonic for SAM cycle: "SAM Saves Homocysteine Constantly"
= SAM β SAH β Homocysteine β Cysteine
β οΈ High Homocysteine = endothelial damage + thrombosis risk. Caused by deficiency of folate, B6, or B12.
π΅ BIN 6 & 7: β ACETYL-CoA / ACETOACETYL-CoA (Ketogenic)
AAs: Leucine, Lysine, Isoleucine, Tryptophan, Phe, Tyr
| AA | Products | Type |
|---|
| Leucine | Acetyl-CoA + Acetoacetate | Pure ketogenic |
| Lysine | Acetoacetyl-CoA | Pure ketogenic (no transamination!) |
| Isoleucine | Acetyl-CoA + Propionyl-CoA | Both |
| Tryptophan | Alanine + Acetoacetyl-CoA | Both |
| Phe/Tyr | Fumarate + Acetoacetate | Both |
π PART 4: BRANCHED CHAIN AAs (BCAAs) - HIGH YIELD
π Mnemonic: "VIL" = Valine, Isoleucine, Leucine
Special rule: BCAAs are catabolized in MUSCLE, not liver (unlike all other AAs)
BCAA Catabolism has 3 steps:
Step 1: Transamination
- Enzyme: Branched-chain aminotransferase
- Cofactor: Vitamin B6
- Product: Branched-chain Ξ±-keto acids
Step 2: Oxidative Decarboxylation β (MOST IMPORTANT STEP)
- Enzyme: Branched-chain Ξ±-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD)
- Cofactors: TPP, Lipoic acid, FAD, NAD+, CoA
-
π Mnemonic for cofactors: "The Lions Fight Naked Cats" = TPP, Lipoic acid, FAD, NAD+, CoA
- Deficiency β MSUD (Maple Syrup Urine Disease)
Step 3: Dehydrogenation
- Produces Ξ±,Ξ²-unsaturated acyl-CoA
- β οΈ Isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency β Sweaty feet odor (isovaleric acidemia)
End products (remember VIL):
| BCAA | Final Product | Gluco/Keto |
|---|
| Valine | Succinyl-CoA | Glucogenic |
| Isoleucine | Acetyl-CoA + Succinyl-CoA | Both |
| Leucine | Acetoacetate + Acetyl-CoA | Ketogenic |
π Mnemonic: "V Goes Sugar, L Goes Keto, I Goes Both"
π PART 5: FOLIC ACID & ONE-CARBON METABOLISM
THF (Tetrahydrofolate) = Active folate
- Made by dihydrofolate reductase (needs 2 NADPH)
- Carries single carbon units at N5, N10, or N5-N10
- Biotin also carries 1C but carries CO2 only - NOT in the folate pool
One-carbon units (in order of oxidation state):
Most oxidized β formyl
methenyl
methylene β serine β glycine uses this
Most reduced β methyl β needed for methionine regeneration (B12)
π Mnemonic: "Folate Feeds DNA" - THF is needed for:
- Purine synthesis (N9, C2, C8)
- TMP synthesis (thymidylate)
- Methionine regeneration
β οΈ Folate deficiency β Megaloblastic anemia (can't make DNA for RBC division)
π PART 6: SYNTHESIS OF NONESSENTIAL AAs
π Mnemonic for essential AAs: "PVT TIM HaLL"
= Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Isoleucine, Methionine, Histidine, Leucine, Lysine
(Everything NOT in that list = nonessential = body can make it)
How nonessential AAs are made:
A) By Transamination (from Ξ±-keto acids):
| Amino Acid | From |
|---|
| Alanine | Pyruvate |
| Aspartate | Oxaloacetate |
| Glutamate | Ξ±-Ketoglutarate |
B) By Amidation (ATP-dependent):
- Glutamine β Glutamate + NH3 (enzyme: glutamine synthetase) β ammonia transport
- Asparagine β Aspartate + NH3 (enzyme: asparagine synthetase, uses glutamine as N donor)
C) Special Pathways:
| AA | Made From | Key Detail |
|---|
| Proline | Glutamate | Cyclization + reduction |
| Serine | 3-phosphoglycerate | OR from glycine via SHMT + THF |
| Glycine | Serine | Reverse of serineβglycine |
| Cysteine | Methionine + Serine | Needs methionine (so dietary methionine essential) |
| Tyrosine | Phenylalanine | Via phenylalanine hydroxylase + BH4 |
π PART 7: INBORN ERRORS - THE BIG 5
π Master Mnemonic: "PKU Makes All Big Holes"
= PKU, MSUD, Albinism, Big (Homocystinuria), Alkaptonuria + Homocystinuria
1. π΄ PKU (Phenylketonuria)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Defect | Phenylalanine hydroxylase β |
| Prevalence | 1 in 15,000 |
| Accumulates | Phenylalanine β phenylpyruvate, phenyllactate, phenylacetate |
| β Tyrosine | β β Melanin, β Catecholamines |
| CNS | Intellectual disability, seizures, microcephaly |
| Skin | Hypopigmentation (fair skin/hair/eyes) |
| Urine | π Mousey/musty smell |
| Screening | Heel prick at 24-48h |
| Treatment | Low-Phe diet + tyrosine supplement. Avoid aspartame! |
| Also caused by | BH4 deficiency OR dihydropteridine reductase deficiency |
β οΈ Maternal PKU: High maternal Phe β fetal microcephaly + heart defects even if baby doesn't have PKU
2. π MSUD (Maple Syrup Urine Disease)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Defect | Branched-chain Ξ±-keto acid dehydrogenase β |
| AAs affected | Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine |
| Urine | π Maple syrup smell |
| Symptoms | Poor feeding, vomiting, acidosis, encephalopathy |
| Treatment | Restrict BCAAs; thiamine-responsive variant exists |
3. π‘ ALBINISM
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Defect | Tyrosinase β (Tyr β Melanin blocked) |
| Features | Hypopigmentation, photophobia, β visual acuity |
| Risk | β Skin cancer |
| Inheritance | Autosomal recessive (most common) |
4. π’ HOMOCYSTINURIA
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Defect | Cystathionine Ξ²-synthase (CBS) β |
| Accumulates | β Homocysteine + Methionine, β Cysteine |
| Features | "STOMP": Skeletal abnormalities, Thrombosis, Osteoporosis, Mental disability, eye (oPhthalmology - ectopia lentis) |
| B6-responsive | Milder; B6 is CBS cofactor |
| Treatment | β Methionine diet, B6, B12, folate |
5. π΅ ALKAPTONURIA
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Defect | Homogentisic acid oxidase β |
| Classic triad | Dark urine + Ochronosis (black joints) + Arthritis |
| Diagnosis hint | Diaper turns dark/black in infancy |
| Onset | Asymptomatic until ~40 years |
| Treatment | β Phe + Tyr diet |
π Mnemonic for Alkaptonuria: "Dark DAD" = Dark urine, Arthritis, Dark connective tissue (ochronosis)
π PART 8: QUICK COMPARISON TABLE - INBORN ERRORS
| Disease | Enzyme | Accumulates | Smell | Key Feature |
|---|
| PKU | Phe hydroxylase | Phe, phenylketones | Mousey | Intellectual disability |
| MSUD | BCKD | BCAAs (Leu, Ile, Val) | Maple syrup | Neonatal acidosis |
| Albinism | Tyrosinase | - | - | No pigment |
| Homocystinuria | CBS | Homocysteine | - | Thrombosis + lens dislocation |
| Alkaptonuria | HGA oxidase | Homogentisic acid | - | Dark urine, black joints |
π PART 9: VITAMIN CONNECTIONS (EASY TO REMEMBER)
| Vitamin | Role in AA metabolism |
|---|
| B6 (PLP) | Transamination, CBS (homocystinuria), BCAA catabolism Step 1 |
| B12 | Remethylation of homocysteine to methionine; Propionyl-CoA β Succinyl-CoA |
| Folate (THF) | One-carbon transfers; remethylation; histidine β FIGlu test |
| Biotin | CO2 carboxylation (Propionyl-CoA β methylmalonyl-CoA) |
| BH4 | Phe hydroxylase cofactor; deficiency β PKU-like syndrome |
π Mnemonic: "B6 tranSAmines, B12 methylates, Folate donates carbons"
π FINAL MEGA-MNEMONIC SUMMARY
AA CATABOLISM MAP
"Pretty Orange Foxes Smell Awful Awful Again"
Pyruvate β Oxaloacetate β Fumarate β Succinyl-CoA β Acetyl-CoA β Acetoacetate β Ξ±-KG
ONLY Ketogenic = "Lean Lions" (Leucine, Lysine)
BCAA catabolism in MUSCLE only = "VIL" (Val, Ile, Leu)
BCKD cofactors = "The Lions Fight Naked Cats" (TPP, Lipoic, FAD, NAD+, CoA)
SAM cycle = "SAM Saves Homocysteine Constantly"
Essential AAs = "PVT TIM HaLL"
Alkaptonuria = "Dark DAD" (Dark urine, Arthritis, Dark joints)
Homocystinuria = "STOMP"
β‘ RAPID FIRE CLINICAL PEARLS
- Aspartame contains Phe β PKU patients must avoid it
- Smell of urine β PKU (mousey), MSUD (maple syrup), Isovaleric acidemia (sweaty feet)
- FIGlu test β abnormal = folate deficiency
- High homocysteine β think folate/B6/B12 deficiency β thrombosis + neural tube defects
- Glycine β Oxalate = kidney stones (Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1)
- Propionyl-CoA β Succinyl-CoA needs biotin (step 1) + B12 (step 2)
- BCAAs are catabolized in MUSCLE (not liver) - unique among AAs
- Tyrosine is conditionally essential if Phe intake is insufficient or in PKU
- Lysine is unique - cannot undergo transamination (directly deaminated)
- SAM is the universal methyl donor of the body
Study tip: Go section by section, learn one mnemonic, close your eyes and recite. Then move to the next. Come back and do a full recall test at the end. You'll have this locked in within 2-3 review cycles! π―