Aminometabolite

Aminometabolite is a term used to describe any metabolite that bears an amino group or is generated from amino acids through metabolic reactions. It is not a formal chemical subclass, but a descriptive label used in biochemistry and metabolomics to categorize small molecules derived from or containing nitrogen in the form of amino groups.

The concept of aminometabolites encompasses a broad range of compounds. Canonical amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and glutamine are themselves aminometabolites, as are non-protein amino acids and related derivatives. More broadly, aminometabolites include polyamines (for example, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), amino sugars (such as glucosamine and galactosamine), and numerous amine-containing derivatives like monoamine neurotransmitters and their precursors (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) as well as amino acid catabolites formed through transamination, decarboxylation, amination, and related transformations.

Biologically, aminometabolites participate in nitrogen metabolism, energy balance, signaling, and the regulation of metabolic pathways. They can arise in various tissues and cell types and are also produced or modified by the gut microbiota, which can influence host physiology through the production of aminometabolites.

Analytically, aminometabolites are a common focus of metabolomics and clinical chemistry. They are typically detected and quantified by mass spectrometry and NMR, often requiring careful separation due to structural diversity and the presence of isomers. Abnormal levels of certain aminometabolites can indicate metabolic disorders, nutritional status, or drug effects, making them useful biomarkers in research and medicine.