Alphamethylated

Alphamethylated refers to a chemical modification where a methyl group (CH3) is attached to the alpha-carbon of a molecule. The alpha-carbon is the carbon atom immediately adjacent to a functional group, such as a carbonyl group (C=O) or an amine group (NH2). This seemingly small addition can significantly alter the physical and chemical properties of the parent molecule.

For example, in amino acids, alphamethylation of the alpha-carbon can affect their reactivity, solubility, and how they interact with enzymes and biological systems. This modification is not naturally common in proteins, but it can be introduced synthetically. In some pharmaceutical contexts, alphamethylation is used to modify the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs, influencing their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. It can also impact a drug's potency or selectivity by altering its binding to target receptors. The introduction of a methyl group can increase steric hindrance, affecting how the molecule fits into active sites or crosses biological membranes. The presence of an alpha-methyl group can also influence the stereochemistry of a molecule, potentially leading to the formation of new enantiomers or diastereomers.