Non-Protein Amino Acids: A Review of the Biosynthesis and Taxonomic Significance

Abstract

The non-protein amino acids, with which we are concerned here, are not incorporated into the proteins of the organisms that synthesize them nor are their residues formed by the post-translational modification of protein amino acid residues. Nonprotein amino acids are of value in the study of relationships between species and higher taxa of organisms because most of them are of restricted distribution. If a particular non-protein amino acid is only known to occur in a limited group of species which are related in other respects then it is probable that these species have all arisen from a common ancestral form in which the biosynthetic pathway to that particular non-protein amino acid already existed.

Identification and monitoring of metabolite markers of dry bean consumption in parallel human and mouse studies

“…SMC is a nonprotein amino acid, which is derived by acid hydrolysis from the second most common nonprotein nitrogen component of dry beans γ‐glutamyl‐SMC (3026 mg/kg dry beans) . Besides dry beans, only some other Phaseolus and Vigna species (mung beans, cow peas) accumulate sulfur groups as SMC components . Alliaceae and Cruciferae vegetables contain small amounts of SMC .…”

Toxicity of Non-protein Amino Acids to Humans and Domestic Animals

“…The elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway to β-ODAP in L. sativus [33] holds out the possibility that a variety free of β-ODAP might be developed by eliminating one or more of the genes coding for an enzyme or enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the toxin. to give a mixture of both forms [34].…”

“…Canavanine ( 13) is found in many species of the Papilionoideae, which is a sub-family of the Leguminosae [33]. Seeds are a particularly rich source of this amino acid and concentrations as high as 13% dry weight have been reported in those of Dioclea megacarpa [100].…”

“…An unusual toxicity in humans is displayed by consumption of the mushroom Coprinus atramentarius, which contains coprine (N5-(1-hydroxycyclopropyl)-Lglutamine (33). This compound is a potent inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, which is the major enzyme in liver concerned in the metabolism of ingested ethanol in humans.…”

Efeito letal de extratos de piperáceas ao ácaro-vermelho-das-palmeiras, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

“…Assim, a extração aquosa pode extrair substâncias polares e hidrossolúveis, sobretudo, os compostos que apresentem cadeia de carbono curta (MARTINS et al, 2013). Vários metabólitos secundários nitrogenados são solúveis em água, como alcaloides, aminoácidos não proteicos, glicosídeos cianogênicos e glucosinolatos (TRIGO, 2000;BELL et al, 2008;VERKERK et al, 2010;BABBAR, 2015). Já entre os nãonitrogenados, os terpenóides apresentam poucos compostos com solubilidade em água, como ocorre em algumas saponinas, monoterpenos, sesquiterpenos e triterpenos, mas, no geral, a solubilidade é muito baixa (TAIZ et al, 2015;FURTADO et al, 2017;ALVES et al, 2019).…”