Lysine: Sources, Metabolism, Physiological Importance, and Use as a Supplement

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Lysine is an essential amino acid with diverse roles in human health.
• Current knowledge of lysine metabolism and its implications requires comprehensive review.
• Lysine's involvement in protein structure and function is multifaceted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on lysine metabolism in humans.
• To identify gaps in understanding lysine's nutritional and therapeutic potential.
• To explore lysine's role in protein post-translational modifications and epigenetic regulation.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of lysine metabolism.
• Analysis of lysine's role in protein modifications (e.g., methylation, ubiquitination, glycation).
• Examination of lysine's involvement in synthesizing other molecules (e.g., homoarginine, carnitine).

Main Results:

• Lysine metabolism involves various pathways, including catabolism and synthesis of other compounds.
• Lysine undergoes numerous post-translational modifications affecting protein function.
• Lysine's availability influences homoarginine formation and lysine-arginine antagonism.

Conclusions:

• Detailed understanding of lysine modification enzymes is crucial for epigenetic regulation insights.
• Further research on lysine's influence on immune, cardiovascular, and cancer processes is warranted.
• Lysine holds therapeutic potential for osteoporosis, kidney health, and as lysine analogs.