BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Leucine, Sirolimus, Isoleucine
Document Summary
Leucine is one of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins and is classified as an essential amino acid because it cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from the diet. It is an aliphatic amino acid, meaning that its side chain is a straight chain of carbon atoms. Leucine has a complex structure, consisting of a three-carbon chain with a branched side chain that contains six carbon atoms. Leucine plays a critical role in protein synthesis and is particularly important for the growth and repair of muscle tissue. It is one of the three branched-chain amino acids (bcaas), along with isoleucine and valine, and is the most potent stimulator of muscle protein synthesis among the bcaas. Leucine helps to activate a key signaling pathway called the mammalian target of rapamycin (mtor), which is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis and muscle growth.
