aspartaattien

Aspartate, also known as aspartic acid, is an alpha-amino acid. It is one of the twenty standard amino acids that are used in the synthesis of proteins. Aspartate is a non-essential amino acid, meaning that humans can synthesize it from other compounds and do not need to obtain it through their diet. It plays a crucial role in various metabolic pathways, including the urea cycle and the synthesis of nucleotides and other amino acids.

In biological systems, aspartate exists primarily as the aspartate anion, which carries a negative charge at physiological pH. This charged nature influences its interactions with other molecules and its function within cells. Aspartate is also a neurotransmitter, specifically an excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It binds to NMDA receptors and AMPA receptors, playing a role in synaptic plasticity and learning.

The metabolism of aspartate is interconnected with that of other amino acids and carbohydrates. It can be formed from oxaloacetate, a key intermediate in the citric acid cycle, through transamination reactions. Conversely, aspartate can be converted back to oxaloacetate. This interconversion highlights its importance in energy metabolism and the linkage between amino acid and carbohydrate pathways.