About Book

Proteins are large, complex molecules that are critical for the normal functioning of the human body. They are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. Proteins are made up of hundreds of smaller units called amino acids that are attached to one another by peptide bonds, forming a long chain. Amino acids form polymers through a nucleophilic attack by the amino group of an amino acid at the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of the carboxyl group of another amino acid. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, though other elements are found in the side-chains of certain amino acids. In the form of proteins, amino acids comprise the second-largest component (water is the largest) of human muscles, cells and other tissues. Amino acids are important in nutrition and are commonly used in nutritional supplements, fertilizers, and food technology. Industrial uses include the production of drugs, biodegradable plastics, and chiral catalysts. This book illustrates the principles and practices of amino acids with the help of up-to-date information. It discusses modern features and future trends in this field. It deals with single amino acids, protein engineering, mixed amino acids, amino acids separation, light irradiation, amino acids in plants, constituent amino acids, amino acids modification and metabolic disorders. It is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and principles in the field of amino acids which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. This book will cater as a valuable source of reference for students, professionals and readers interested in acquiring knowledge about this field.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Amino Acids Profiling for the Diagnosis of Metabolic

Disorders.......................................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Newborn screening.............................................................................10

3. Quantitative amino acids analysis...................................................11

4. Diagnosis of amino acids related disorders..................................19

5. Treatment options...............................................................................20

6. Conclusion............................................................................................21

Chapter 2 Amino Acids Modification to Improve and Fine-Tune Peptide-Based Hydrogels.......................................................................................29

Abstract.................................................................................................29

1. Introduction..........................................................................................30

2. Addition or insertion of organic moieties at the extremities or

inside the amino acids sequences....................................................36

3. Using non-canonical and modified amino acids to tune

peptide-based hydrogel properties..................................................42

4. Development of pseudo-peptides and peptidomimetics............54

5. Conclusion............................................................................................57

Chapter 3 The Anti-Allergic Effects of the His-Ala-Gln Tripeptide and Constituent Amino Acids........................................................................82

Abstract.................................................................................................82

1. Introduction..........................................................................................82

2. Mechanism of the type-1 allergic response...................................83

3. The search for peptides derived from casein with anti-allergic

actions....................................................................................................84

4. Characteristics of the amino acids in peptides with anti-allergic

actions....................................................................................................87

5. Importance of peptide binding, number of amino acid residues,

and peptide sequence on the anti‐allergic effect..........................90

6. Effect of the HAQ peptide on antibody production in mice....92

7. Effect of the HAQ peptide on allergic symptoms in mice........94

8. Conclusion............................................................................................96

Chapter 4 D-Amino Acids in Plants: New Insights and Aspects, but also

More Open Questions...........................................................................100

Abstract...............................................................................................100

1. Introduction........................................................................................100

2. How do D-AAs get into the plant?..............................................101

3. What happens to D-AAs in the plant?.........................................104

4. What are the effects and functions of D-AAs in the plant?....107

5. Conclusions........................................................................................110

Chapter 5 Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Amino Acids by

Light Irradiation......................................................................................118

Abstract ..............................................................................................118

1. Introduction........................................................................................118

2. Amino acids.......................................................................................120

3. Nanoparticles synthesis with amino acids...................................121

4. Conclusions........................................................................................132

Chapter 6 Peptide and Amino Acids Separation and Identification from

Natural Products.....................................................................................137

1. Introduction........................................................................................137

2. Sample preparation .........................................................................139

3. UV-Vis spectroscopy ......................................................................140

4. IR spectroscopy ..............................................................................140

5. Chromatographic methods ...........................................................142

Chapter 7 Effect of Mixed Amino Acids on Crop Growth ............................151

1. Introduction........................................................................................151

2. Hydroponic experiment of radish.................................................158

3. Hydroponic experiment of red pepper........................................164

4. Pot experiment of radish with high NO3

– soil............................169

5. Pot experiment of radish with low NO3

– soil.............................176

6. Field experiment of radish..............................................................181

7. Conclusions........................................................................................189

Chapter 8 Protein Engineering with Non-Natural Amino Acids...................201

1. Introduction........................................................................................201

2. Methodologies for incorporating non-natural amino acids into

proteins ..............................................................................................202

3. Orthogonal chemical reactions at the side chain of non-natural

amino acids .....................................................................................220

4. Potential applications of proteins engineered with non-natural

amino acids .......................................................................................232

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................239

Chapter 9 Evolutionary Engineering of Artificial Proteins with Limited Sets

of Primitive Amino Acids ...................................................................252

1. Introduction........................................................................................252

2. A hypothesis regarding the origin and early evolution of proteins

and the genetic code........................................................................254

3. mRNA display for in vitro selection of proteins ......................256

4. Random-sequence proteins with primitive amino acids...........260

5. Functional proteins consisting of primitive amino acids ........263

6. Conclusion .........................................................................................266

7. Acknowledgments ...........................................................................266

Chapter 10 Single Amino Acids as Additives Modulating CaCO3

Mineralization..........................................................................................273

1. Introduction........................................................................................273

2. Amino acids ......................................................................................275

3. Vapor-diffusion crystallization ......................................................277

4. In situ potentiometric titration ......................................................278

5. Discussion...........................................................................................279

6. Outlook ..............................................................................................288

Citation......................................................................................................293

Index...........................................................................................................295

About Author

Marcus Holden received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Public University of Science and Technology, Quebec. He serves as Research Engineer at Centre for Scientific Research, Oaxaca. His research interests span from the use of single molecule scale methods on membrane proteins for bionanotechnological applications to the characterization of potential inhibitors of the amyloid beta peptide aggregation. Holden has contributed numerous articles and research papers on sources of protein. He has been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences.