Amino Acid Catabolism

Amino acids can be catabolized or "burned" aerobically. They must first be deaminated (NH₂-group removed) by the liver. After deamination, the remaining carbon "skeleton" can be converted to pyruvate, acetly-CoA, or one of the Kreb's (TCA) cycle molecules (called "intermediates"). The exact fate of an amino acid depends on its carbon skeleton. Those converted to pyruvate can be "burned" through the Kreb's (TCA) cycle or used by the liver to make new glucose in a process called gluconeogenesis. Those made into acetyl-CoA join the Kreb's (TCA) cycle. Those that are converted to Kreb's cycle molecules are burned in the mitochondria. (The carbons in carbon skeletons that become Kreb's cycle intermediates are eventually released as CO₂.)

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Written by J. Ellen Lathrop-Davis, M.Sc.
CCBC - Catonsville
Summer Grant, 2002
All Rights Reserved