phenylalanine

(noun)

an essential amino acid C9H11NO2 found in most animal proteins; it is essential for growth; the inability to metabolize it leads to phenylketonuria; it is a constituent of aspartame.

Related Terms

Examples of phenylalanine in the following topics:

  • Phenylketonuria (PKU)

    • When PAH activity is reduced, phenylalanine accumulates.
    • Elevated levels of phenylalanine in the blood and detection of phenylketones in the urine is diagnostic.
    • Phenylalanine is a large, neutral amino acid (LNAA).
    • If phenylalanine is in excess in the blood, it will saturate the transporter.
    • Excessive levels of phenylalanine tend to decrease the levels of other LNAAs in the brain.

  • Chemistry of Hormones

    • Monoamine hormones are derived from single aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.

  • Cystic Fibrosis

    • The ΔF508 human genome mutation is characterized by the deletion of three base pairs in the CFTR nucleotide sequence, causing the loss of the amino acid phenylalanine located at position 508 .
    • The ΔF508 human genome mutation is characterized by the deletion of three base pairs in the CFTR nucleotide sequence, causing the loss of the amino acid phenylalanine located at position 508.

  • Mechanisms of Hormone Action

    • Monoamine: Hormones derived from aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan.