ALLYLGLYCINE Meaning and
Definition
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Allylglycine is a chemical compound that is classified as a non-proteinogenic amino acid. It is derived from the amino acid glycine by the addition of an allyl group (-CH2CH=CH2) to its side chain. This modification imparts unique characteristics to allylglycine, distinguishing it from other amino acids.
Allylglycine is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter antagonist, meaning it blocks the action of certain neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Specifically, it acts as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase, which converts the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate into the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). By inhibiting this enzyme, allylglycine disrupts the equilibrium between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, potentially leading to alterations in neuronal activity and signaling.
Due to its ability to inhibit GABA synthesis, allylglycine has been widely used as a research tool to investigate the role of GABAergic neurotransmission in various physiological and pathological processes. It has also been explored for its potential therapeutic applications, particularly in treating conditions associated with excessive GABAergic activity, such as epilepsy and spasticity. Additionally, allylglycine has been utilized in studying the underlying mechanisms of diseases like schizophrenia and epilepsy, where imbalances in glutamate-GABA neurotransmission have been implicated.
In summary, allylglycine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid derivative that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter antagonist by blocking the synthesis of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Its unique properties make it a valuable tool in neuroscience research, with potential therapeutic implications in various neurological disorders.
Common Misspellings for ALLYLGLYCINE
- zllylglycine
- sllylglycine
- wllylglycine
- qllylglycine
- aklylglycine
- aplylglycine
- aolylglycine
- alkylglycine
- alpylglycine
- aloylglycine
- alltlglycine
- allglglycine
- allhlglycine
- allulglycine
- all7lglycine
- all6lglycine
- allykglycine
- allypglycine
- allyoglycine
- allylflycine
Etymology of ALLYLGLYCINE
The word "Allylglycine" has its origins in organic chemistry.
The term "allyl" refers to an organic functional group consisting of a carbon-carbon double bond and a side chain containing a CH₂ group. It comes from the compound "allylene", which was derived from "allyl alcohol" (an alcohol compound containing the allyl group).
The term "glycine" comes from the Latin word "glycocoll", which means "sweet" (from "glycos" meaning "sweet" and "kollos" meaning "glue"). Glycine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins and plays a role in various biological processes.
Putting the two terms together, "Allylglycine" refers to an amino acid that has the allyl functional group attached to its structure.
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