Lysine: Definition, Structure, Uses & Sample Questions

The amino acid lysine is the component of proteins that can be found in different foods. These include beans, cheese, meat, milk, brewer's yeast, yoghurt, wheat germ, and other animal proteins. It contains an α-amino group, an α-carboxylic acid group and a side-chain lysyl classifying it as a charged aliphatic amino acid.

Read More: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structures

Key terms: Lysine, amino acid, structure of lysine,uses of lysine, deficiency of lysine

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What is Lysine?

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The symbol for it is Lys or K. They are the building blocks of protein, therefore are important for human growth.

It has an α amine group and an α carboxylic acid group since it is an α amino acid. As it cannot be synthesised by the human body itself, there are various sources from which it is obtained. Without Lysine, the human body can not create carnitine, which is responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helps lower the cholestrol. Lysine appears to aid calcium absorption and is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein found in bones and connective tissues such as skin, tendons, and cartilage.

Aspartic acid, another amino acid, may be used by some plants and microorganisms to make lysine. It is primarily generated in organisms via two metabolic pathways:

1. the diaminopimelate pathway
2. the alpha–aminoadipate pathway

Read More: Bonding in Metal Carbonyls

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Structure of Lysine

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Structure of Lysine

All amino acids, in general, have the same structure: an amino group connected to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, and a side chain group signified by the letter 'R' via a central carbon. The amino and carboxyl groups, as well as the central carbon, make up the amino acid backbone, which is identical to all amino acids. Each amino acid is distinguished by its side chain.

The molecular formula C₆H₁₄N₂O₂ indicates the particular structure of lysine. The middle carbon of the amino acid backbone is attached to this structure. The amino acid lysine is a linear molecule. Lysine, like arginine and histidine, is basic. In nature, lysine is positively charged. This amino acid is soluble in water. Lysine is a hydrogen bonding amino acid.

Lysine: Molecular Structure

Also Read: Minerals

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Uses of Lysine

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Lysine play an essential role in many biological processes. Some of them are discussed below -

• The most common and important role of Lysine is parthenogenesis.
• It also helps in protein stability because its amino group forms hydrogen and covalent bonds and also salt bridges with other molecules.
• Lysine plays an important role in epigenetic regulation
• Lysine is involved in many histone modifications. These modifications are responsible for gene regulation.
• Lysine is also used for calcium homeostasis and fatty acid metabolism.
• Cross-linking of helical polypeptides in collagen also involves Lysine.
• Lysine is essential for producing carnitine, which converts fatty acids into energy and helps in lowering cholesterol.
• Including Lysine in your diet, helps in preventing cold sores and genital herpes. The herpes simplex virus causes herpes. Arginine increases the development of the herpes simplex virus, whereas lysine inhibits its action.
• It helps in the absorption of calcium in the body. Therefore, it helps in osteoporosis.
• Lysine supplements are used as protein supplements as it helps in muscle recovery after stress. Athletes use lysine supplements for this very reason.
• Animal feed contains lysine, which aids in their proper development. As a result, lysine is an important food element used in poultry farms, pig farms, and other animal farms to feed chickens, pigs, and other animals for maximum development and high-quality meat.
• A lysine derivative that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent is used to treat pain. It can aid in the prevention of heart disease and blood pressure swings.

Also Read: Fats

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Lysine Rich Food

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Foods rich in protein are good sources of lysine.

• Meat, specifically red meat, pork, and poultry
• Cheese, particularly parmesan
• Certain fish, such as cod and sardines
• Eggs
• Soybeans, particularly tofu, isolated soy protein, and defatted soybean flour
• Spirulina
• Fenugreek seed
• Amaranth, grain, uncooked
• Azuki bean (adzuki beans) mature seeds, raw
• Catfish, channel, farmed, raw
• Chickpea, (garbanzo beans, Bengal gram), mature seeds, raw
• Lentil
• Sprouts
• Milk, non-fat
• Quinoa

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Deficiency of Lysine

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The majority of lysine-related illnesses are caused by downstream lysine processing. Connective tissue disease is caused by a lack of lysine. Lack of lysine can lead to low carnitine levels in the body, which can lead to a variety of health problems since carnitine transports fatty acids to mitochondria, which are the cells' powerhouses. Anaemia, protein energy malnutrition, neurological impairments, epilepsy, ataxia, and psychomotor impairment can all be caused by a lysine deficiency.

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Things to Remember

•  Lysine is an essential amino acid.
• The symbol for it is Lys or K.
• They are the building blocks of protein.
• All amino acids, in general, have the same structure: an amino group connected to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, and a side chain group signified by the letter 'R' via a central carbon.
• The molecular formula C₆H₁₄N₂O₂ indicates the particular structure of lysine.
•  The middle carbon of the amino acid backbone is attached to this structure.
• The amino acid lysine is a linear molecule.
• Lysine plays an essential role in many biological processes like proteinogenesis, epigenetic regulation, osteoporosis, histone modifications, etc.
• Foods rich in protein like egg, fish, quinoa, milk, sports, lentils etc., are rich in lysine.
• Connective tissue disease, low carnitine level, anaemia, neurological impairments etc., are caused due to lack of lysine in the human body.

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