Amino Acids are the structural units that make up proteins. There are twenty standard amino acids used by cells in protein biosynthesis, and these are specified by the general genetic code. These 20 amino acids are biosynthesized from other molecules, but organisms differ in which ones they can synthesize (non-essential amino acids) and which ones must be provided in their diet (essential amino acids). For humans, the eight essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. The twelve non-essential amino acids are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, arginine, histidine, and tyrosine. However, the distinction is not complete, as cysteine, tyrosine, histidine and arginine are semi essential amino acids in children, because the metabolic pathways synthesizing these amino acids are not fully developed.
Kronos Science offers amino acid analysis by LC/MS/MS methodology on plasma specimens. Additional amino acids to be included soon. Please see current panels, custom panels avaialable. For more information on amino acid analysis, click here
Amino Acid Panel