Asparagine

Asparagine is an amino acids found in proteins. In mammals, asparagine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning it does not need to be present in the diet. Asparagine is classified as an amide because it is an amide derivative of aspartic acid (Reaction 1 below). Asparagine functions as the protein anchor point for N-linked oligosaccharide-linked glycoproteins (See Figure 16.16).

Reactions invoving asparagine:

> 1. Aspartic Acid + ATP + NH 3 (Glutamine) <=> Asparagine + AMP + PPi + Glutamate (catalyzed by Asparagine Synthetase - the enzyme strongly prefers to use the amine group of glutamine over that of free ammonia)

> 2. Asparagine + H 2O <=> Aspartic Acid + NH 3 (catalyzed by Asparaginase)

One Letter Code | Three Letter Code | Molecular Wt. (Daltons) | Genetic Code Codons
N | ASN | 114.11 | AAU, AAC

See also: Table 5.1, Genetic Code, Aspartic Acid, Transamination of Citric Acid Cycle Intermediates, Essential Amino Acids

INTERNET LINKS: Alanine and Aspartate Metabolism