Treoniinin

Treoniinin is the Finnish name for threonine, one of the twenty standard amino acids and an essential nutrient for humans. In living organisms, threonine exists mainly as the L-enantiomer, which is the form incorporated into proteins; the D-enantiomer is rare in human metabolism.

Chemical and genetic context: L-threonine is a polar, aliphatic amino acid with a beta-hydroxyl group. Its chemical formula is C4H9NO3. In humans, threonine is encoded by the genetic code through the codons ACU, ACC, ACA, and ACG. It is typically found in proteins as part of their primary structure and can participate in hydrogen bonding and interactions that influence protein folding.

Biological role: Threonine is an essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from the diet. It supports protein synthesis, growth, and tissue maintenance. It is particularly important for mucin production in the gastrointestinal tract and plays a role in immune function and connective tissue health through its involvement in collagen and elastin formation.

Dietary sources and intake: Threonine is found in both animal-based proteins (meat, fish, dairy, eggs) and plant-based foods (legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains). Daily requirements vary by age, sex, and physiological state, but threonine is regarded as a critical part of a balanced diet and is commonly available in standard protein-containing foods and supplements.

Metabolism and applications: After absorption, threonine is used for protein synthesis or degraded via catabolic pathways to produce glycine and acetyl-CoA, among other metabolites. In research and medical nutrition, treoniinin supplements may be used to prevent or treat deficiency and are sometimes employed in peptide synthesis and protein engineering contexts.