alphaaminobutyric

Alphaaminobutyric, also known as 2-aminobutyric acid, is a non-proteinogenic amino acid. It is a chiral molecule, existing as either D-alpha-aminobutyric acid or L-alpha-aminobutyric acid. While not one of the 20 standard amino acids used to build proteins, alphaaminobutyric can be found in small amounts in living organisms. It is a structural isomer of beta-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a well-known neurotransmitter. Alphaaminobutyric acid can be synthesized by certain bacteria and plants. Its presence in biological systems has been noted in various contexts, including as a component of some peptides and as a metabolite in certain biochemical pathways. Research has explored its potential roles, though it is not as extensively studied as proteinogenic amino acids. Its chemical structure features an amino group and a carboxyl group attached to the second carbon atom of a four-carbon chain. The specific biological functions and significance of alphaaminobutyric acid are still areas of ongoing scientific investigation.