aminovaleric

Aminovaleric refers to compounds derived from valeric acid that contain an amino group. Valeric acid, also known as pentanoic acid, is a five-carbon carboxylic acid. The position of the amino group on the carbon chain determines the specific isomer of aminovaleric acid. The most common and biologically relevant isomer is 5-aminovaleric acid, also known as delta-aminovaleric acid or piperidic acid. This compound is an amino acid that is not one of the standard 20 proteinogenic amino acids.

5-Aminovaleric acid is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, though its role is less understood than that of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is synthesized from lysine or ornithine through enzymatic pathways. While not incorporated into proteins, it can be found in free form within tissues. Other isomers include 2-aminovaleric acid (alpha-aminovaleric acid) and 3-aminovaleric acid (beta-aminovaleric acid). Alpha-aminovaleric acid is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that can be found in some peptides and has been studied for its potential metabolic roles. Beta-aminovaleric acid has been investigated for its pharmacological properties. The study of aminovaleric acids is relevant to neurochemistry, metabolism, and the development of potential therapeutic agents.