What are Amino Acids?
Amino acids are organic compounds that play key roles in various biological processes as components of proteins. They contain an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH) and a side chain to distinguish each amino acid. There are 20 standard amino acids commonly found in proteins, each with unique chemical properties and functions.
Proteins are essential for cell structure, enzyme catalysis, immune response, hormone regulation and many other biological functions, and amino acids are required for protein synthesis. They are also involved in energy metabolism, neurotransmission and the synthesis of other important molecules such as nucleotides and neurotransmitters.
What is Amino Acid Analysis
Amino acid analysis is a quantitative technique used to identify and quantify the individual amino acids present in a sample. It helps researchers understand amino acid composition, concentration, and essential and non-essential amino acid ratios, as well as assess protein quality, determine nutritional value, detect protein abnormalities, and investigate metabolic disorders.
Why is Amino Acid Analysis Necessary?
Protein Amino Acid Analysis:
Protein amino acid analysis determines the type and amount of amino acids in protein samples, providing information about protein composition, post-translational modifications and overall protein quality. Understanding amino acid content allows researchers to assess protein purity, determine changes in amino acid composition, and evaluate protein stability.
View the article to learn more about protein amino acid analysis techniques and applications.
Amino Acid Metabolism Analysis:
Amino acid metabolism analysis focuses on studying the metabolic pathways and dynamics of amino acids in biological systems. It provides valuable insights into amino acid utilization, turnover rates, and metabolic disorders.
It can be used to:
a) Unraveling metabolic pathways
b) Investigating disease mechanisms
c) Assessing nutritional status
d) Drug development and personalized medicine
View the article to learn more about amino acid metabolism analysis techniques and applications.
Techniques for Amino Acid Analysis
HPLC is a widely used technique for amino acid analysis due to its high sensitivity and resolution. It involves separating amino acids based on their physicochemical properties using a chromatographic column. This technique allows for accurate quantification of individual amino acids in complex samples.
Coupling liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) enhances the sensitivity and specificity of amino acid analysis. LC-MS enables the identification and quantification of amino acids in complex biological matrices, such as plasma or tissue samples, with improved accuracy and precision.
Amino Acid Analysis Services by Creative Proteomics:
Creative Proteomics offers comprehensive amino acid analysis services to researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and food industries. Their state-of-the-art facilities and experienced scientists ensure accurate and reliable results.
a) AAA Amino Acid Analysis:
Creative Proteomics specializes in automated amino acid analysis using HPLC. Their advanced analytical systems allow for precise identification and quantification of amino acids in various sample types, including proteins, peptides, and free amino acids. The AAA method provides highly sensitive and accurate results, making it an indispensable tool in protein research and quality control.
b) Amino Acid Analysis for Protein Concentration:
Accurately determining protein concentration is crucial for protein research and pharmaceutical development. Creative Proteomics offers amino acid analysis services specifically tailored for protein quantification. By measuring the amino acid composition, the protein concentration can be accurately estimated, providing valuable insights for formulation and dosage development.
c) Amino Acid Analysis in Plasma:
Plasma amino acid analysis is widely used in clinical research to diagnose metabolic disorders and monitor nutritional deficiencies. Creative Proteomics utilizes LC-MS techniques to analyze plasma samples, enabling precise measurements of amino acid profiles. This service plays a vital role in identifying and managing various metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease.
References
- Lam, Anh K., et al. "Fast and high-throughput LC-MS characterization, and peptide mapping of engineered AAV capsids using LC-MS/MS." Molecular Therapy-Methods & Clinical Development 27 (2022): 185-194.
- Pasquali, Marzia, and Nicola Longo. "Newborn screening and inborn errors of metabolism." American journal of medical genetics. Part C, Seminars in medical genetics. Vol. 157. No. 1. 2011.
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