The physiology of the amino acids / by Frank P. Underhill.

  • Underhill, Frank P. (Frank Pell), 1877-1932.
Date:
1915
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The physiology of the amino acids / by Frank P. Underhill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    125/210 (page 103)
    As a general rule substances containing the aromatic or benzene nucleus do not readily undergo complete oxidation in the organism, the benzene nucleus remain- ing unchanged. The amino acids derived from protein hydrolysis, and containing this nucleus, namely, tyro- sine, phenylalanine and tryptophane do suffer complete disintegration, the benzene nucleus being disrupted. There are at least two ways in which the aromatic amino acids may be destroyed. In the first place the following series of reactions may occur—phenylalanine being employed as a specific example. Phenylalanine by oxidative deamination is first changed to phenyl- pyruvic acid: COOH a ketone acid COOH CH.NH3 -Gi- ll O ch3 ch3 c /\ A HC CH HC CH II 1 II 1 HC CH HC CH \/ \/ CH s CH Phenylalanine Phenyl-pyruvic acid