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Amino acids

Amino acids

Amino acids are the monomers that comprise proteins. Each amino acid has the same fundamental structure, which consists of a central carbon atom, or the alpha (α) carbon, bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), and to a hydrogen atom. Every amino acid also has another atom or group of atoms bonded to the central atom known as the R group. There are 20 common amino acids present in proteins, each with a different R group. Variation in the amino acid sequence is responsible for...

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Amino Acid Catabolism

Amino Acid Catabolism

Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways

Amino acid biosynthesis is essential for cell growth, protein synthesis, and metabolic regulation. Cells generate essential and non-essential amino acids from metabolic intermediates to sustain vital biological functions. These intermediates originate from key metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Important precursors include α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, oxaloacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and erythrose-4-phosphate, which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Self-Assembly of Gamma-Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids into Complex Nanostructures in Organic Solvent Mixtures

Self-Assembly of Gamma-Modified Peptide Nucleic Acids into Complex Nanostructures in Organic Solvent Mixtures

Published on: June 26, 2020

Amino Acid Based Self-assembled Nanostructures: Complex Structures from Remarkably Simple Building Blocks.

Priyadarshi Chakraborty¹, Ehud Gazit^1,2

¹Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.

Chemnanomat : Chemistry of Nanomaterials for Energy, Biology and More

|February 5, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Amino acids self-assemble into nanostructures, offering insights into metabolic diseases and materials science. This review explores fabrication and applications of these ordered amino acid assemblies.

Keywords:

amino acids hydrogels nanostructures phenylalanine self-assembly

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Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid

Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid

Published on: September 20, 2017

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Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid

Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid

Published on: September 20, 2017

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology
Biochemistry

Background:

Amino acids are fundamental biological molecules.
Supramolecular self-assembly of amino acids forms nanostructures.
Understanding amino acid self-assembly is crucial for disease study and materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the self-assembly of amino acid-based nanostructures.
To discuss fabrication methods and implications of these nanostructures.
To highlight future prospects in the field of amino acid self-assembly.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on amino acid self-assembly.
Discussion of nanostructures formed from modified and unmodified amino acids.
Exploration of hydrogels with nanoscale order derived from amino acids.

Main Results:

Amino acids, not just peptides, can form ordered nanostructures through self-association.
Self-assembled nanostructures exhibit defined architectures and notable physical properties.
Hydrogels with nanoscale order can be fabricated from single amino acids.

Conclusions:

Amino acid self-assembly is a promising area for developing novel nanomaterials.
Further research can unlock new applications in medicine and materials science.
This field holds potential for advancements in understanding biological processes and creating functional materials.