Neel Godbole - Academy for Math Science & Engineering, NJ
William Stozenski - Academy for Biotechnology, NJ
Hemant N Joshi - [email protected], www.tarainnovations.com
What’s that ‘secret’ ingredient that makes up our protein-filled foods, powders, and bars we consume nearly every day after the gym? If you guessed amino acids, you’re spot on! Yes, amino acids are what make our Whey powders and Clif bars effective for bodybuilding, muscle toning, and other physical activities, but they’re also the reason that humans are humans! In other words, we simply wouldn’t be (physically) here without them. Amino acids, which are nitrogen heavy molecules, are not to be mistaken with proteins, however. Proteins are synthesized from amino acids in the ribosomes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells via the processes of transcription, translation, and post-translational modification, whereas amino acids are small molecules containing a carboxylic and an amino functional group along with a side chain (Figure 1). Thus, elements in every amino acid are – carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). Some amino acids contain sulfur (S) too. Peptides are small chains of amino acids, which act as messengers, signaling specific glands and proteins into performing specific tasks. In this way, proteins, also synonymous with the term ‘polypeptides,’ are just a complex combination of several amino acid monomers joined together.1
History of Amino Acids
If amino acids form proteins, and proteins essentially form humans, how did amino acids form, then? The better question would be, how did life on Earth begin? Although biologists don’t know and may never know conclusive answers to these questions, there are a whole host of theories that attempt to explain the very first synthesis of amino acids. Perhaps the most popular within the scientific community is the primordial soup theory, which was first proposed in the Miller-Urey experiments. Chemists Stanley Miller and Harold Urey configured the conditions of primitive Earth inside a flask by mixing together water vapor, hydrogen, ammonia, and methane and setting off sparks to the flask. What Miller and Urey observed was the formation of entirely novel molecules, later identified as amino acids.2 Given this discovery, they claimed that this primordial soup environment consisting of various organic molecules was the basis for all life.
Essential Amino Acids
Every species has a different number of commonly found amino acids, and for us humans, we need a grand total of twenty amino acids to function at a normal, homeostatic level. Of these twenty, however, some are deemed “essential,” which means they must come from an external food source. The rest are deemed “non-essential”, which can be manufactured within the body using carbohydrates and sugars.3 Some of the best ways to get essential amino acids—histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, and valine—into your diet is to eat high-protein animal-based foods like shrimp, beef, or eggs. Unfortunately, individuals who don’t consume enough of these foods end up having an essential amino acid shortage, which can have adverse effects on the immune system and overall health. On the other hand, non-essential amino acids—proline, serine, asparagine, glycine, aspartic acid, alanine, tyrosine, cysteine, glutamine, arginine, and glutamic acid—are produced in the body through a pathway called transamination, the process by which amino groups4 are combined with keto acids, or glucose-like fuel sources.5 Our bodies do this automatically for us, so shortages are not something to worry about so long as we maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle.
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Most amino acids are composed of one amino group, a carboxyl group, and an R group that is the defining characteristic of each individual amino acid (Figure 1).6 These groups are bound by covalent bonds to a single central carbon atom. Generally, amino acids are hydrophobic molecules, but there is a class of amino acids that are the most hydrophobic and have a unique branched structure around the alpha-carbon: branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, as seen on many protein powder jars. This exclusive group of amino acids, consisting of three essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are most commonly known for their vital roles in muscle formation and the prevention of muscle breakdown. However, in recent years, doctors and scientists have found clinical and alternative uses for BCAAs, such as combating liver malfunction and even tardive dyskinesia.7 In the sports and athletic community, however, the effectiveness of the consumption of BCAA supplements on performance remains unclear, with some studies finding small benefits like reduced post-workout soreness and others pointing to no noticeable advantages.8 The point remains, however, that BCAAs themselves, whether consumed in supplement form or in regular food, are essential for the human body.
Foods for Essential Amino Acids
There are many foods that contain the essential amino acids our body needs to function. A good variety of meats and vegetables is key in creating a healthy diet with enough amino acids. For meats, the most common types that are plentiful with amino acids are beef, chicken, pork, and turkey. While these meats contain thousands of milligrams of various amino acids, not all of the essential amino acids are prevalent in them, and they can also be acquired through a diet of vegetables. Amino acids like Tryptophan can have lower amounts in meats, thus the need to balance meats with vegetables. Additionally, a diet of only meats can result in certain health problems. Heart disease and diabetes can result from the high amount of fat, cholesterol, and sodium content that meats contain.9 As an alternative, amino acids such as Histidine, Leucine, Lysine, and Methionine, which are highly present in meats, can also be found in vegetables such as lima beans, soybeans, succotash, and peas. While vegetables generally have lower amounts of these amino acids compared to meats, they are still just as important to incorporate in the diet as meats.10
Amino Acid Deficiencies
The body needs plenty of amino acids to function normally, so what happens when the body does not meet this threshold? The answer lies in amino acid deficiencies, which occur when certain amino acids run in short supply to the human body, generally in older adults. These deficiencies may result from excessive daily stress, abnormally low-protein diets, or even inherited traits that interfere with the body’s ability to break down proteins.11 Just as amino acids can be turned into proteins through anabolism, proteins can be turned back into amino acids through catabolism, with both these processes being collectively known as metabolism. When the rate at which the body metabolizes proteins is affected, such as slowed production of essential (proteolytic) enzymes in protein catabolism, not enough amino acids will be produced for the body to function and feel normally, often resulting in fatigue or sickness. When protein isn’t being catabolized normally, this leads to the presence of free peptides, which are halfway broken-down protein molecules. Our immune system reacts by having these foreign molecules absorbed, often leading to illness and disease.
Future of Amino Acids
Fortunately for us, pharmaceutical experts are always coming up with new formulations and supplements to help combat these deficiencies and bodily disorders that may arise, such as digestive problems or malnutrition. However, amino acids aren’t just being used in the realms of therapeutics—in recent years, scientists from many fields have found novel uses for amino acids, ones that might have never been possible a decade ago. Several injection formulations containing amino acids are commercially available. In cosmetics, amino acids, having moisturizing properties, have been used in facial and hair conditioning products.12 Amino acids also make for great ingredients in cell culture media in chemistry and pharmaceutical labs across the world. As technology emerges in the decades to come, it’s inevitable that we will find greater utility for amino acids and all that they have to offer to life on Earth.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Neelam Sharma, and Lavanya Kundurthy (Tara Innovations LLC) for taking us as interns and helping us learn as much as possible. We appreciate all the hard work they put into making sure we would have the best experience possible.
References
- https://rwu.pressbooks.pub/bio103/chapter/amino-acids-and-proteins/#:~:text=Amino%20acids%20are%20attached%20to,peptide%20bond%20(Figure%203.7)
- ino%20acids%20are%20attached%20to,peptide%20bond%20(Figure%203.7) 2. https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/an-evolutionary-perspective-on-amino acids-14568445/#:~:text=In%201953%2C%20Miller%20and%20Urey,as%20 eleven%20 standard%20amino%20acids.
- http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-essential-an d-nonessential-amino-acid/#:~:text=An%20essential%20amino%20acid%20has,from %20carbohydrate%20and%20protein%20molecules.
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/amino-group-definition-structure-formula.html#: ~:text=An%20amino%20group%20is%20a%20functional%20group%20that%20 consis ts%20of,amine%20is%20an%20amino%20acid.
- https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/understanding-type-2-diabetes/how-th e-body-processes-sugar/ketones/#:~:text=What%20are%20ketones%20and%20why,s upply%20the%20body’s%20fuel%20needs.
- https://www.britannica.com/science/amino-acid
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1005/branched-chain-amino acids
- https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/bcaa-supplements-helpful-or-hype-experts-sound in-on-the-popular-fitness-product-1.5340233
- https://www.aminomics.com/sometimes-deficient-amino-acids/#1
- http://www.kyowahakko-bio.co.jp/english/rd/aminoscope/usage/
- https://www.simplysupplements.co.uk/healthylife/fitness-tips/why-are-amino-acids -so-important
- https://nature.berkeley.edu/garbelottoat/?p=582
Author Biographies
Neel Godbole, 18 years old, is a chemistry and science enthusiast. He is a freshman at Johns Hopkins on the pre-health track studying biology and chemistry. Neel interned at TARA Innovations during his senior year of high school, where he was exposed to new kinds of scientific inquiry. In his free time, Neel loves playing tennis, running, hanging out with friends, and traveling. One day, Neel hopes to become a physician and serve his community.
Contact Info: [email protected]
Will Stozenski, 18 years old, is passionate about the combination of science and technology. He is currently a freshman at Villanova studying for a degree in Chemical engineering. Will also interned at TARA Innovations during his senior year of high school. Through this experience, he learned the basics behind scientific concepts and lab procedures. In his free time, Will loves playing and watching various sports, traveling, as well as hanging out with friends. In the future, Will hopes to utilize what he has learned to solve issues plaguing others all over the world.
Contact Info: [email protected]
Editor’s Note: Hemant Joshi and his colleagues at Tara Innovations are frequent contributors to American Pharmaceutical Review and Pharmaceutical Outsourcing magazines. Tara offers summer internships to students interested in science. During their internship students learn how science is applied to real-world situations. American Pharmaceutical Review is proud to publish this article written by Tara’s 2022 summer interns.
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