alphaaminolevulinate

Alpha-aminolevulinate, often abbreviated as ALA, is a naturally occurring non-proteinogenic amino acid. It is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of porphyrins, which are essential organic compounds found in many biological systems. In animals, porphyrins are fundamental components of heme, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells, and cytochromes, involved in cellular respiration. Plants and algae also utilize porphyrins in chlorophyll, the pigment crucial for photosynthesis.

The synthesis of ALA is a complex enzymatic pathway. In most organisms, it is produced from glutamate, a common amino acid. This process involves several enzyme-catalyzed steps, with ALA synthase being the rate-limiting enzyme in many species. ALA then serves as the precursor for the formation of protoporphyrin IX, which is subsequently converted into heme or chlorophyll depending on the organism.

Due to its role in porphyrin metabolism, ALA has found applications in medicine and agriculture. In photodynamic therapy, exogenous ALA can be administered to patients. Tumor cells often accumulate more ALA than normal cells, leading to a higher concentration of porphyrins. When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, these porphyrins generate reactive oxygen species that can selectively destroy cancer cells. In agriculture, ALA is sometimes used as a plant growth regulator, potentially enhancing crop yield and stress tolerance.