D-Amino Acids : Practical Methods & Protocols -- Volume 3: D-Amino Acids in Peptides & Proteins

Ryuichi Konno

ISBN 10: 1607413787 / ISBN 13: 9781607413783

Published by Nova Science Publishers Inc Mär 2010, 2010

About this Item

Neuware - D-Amino acids are stereoisomers or optical isomers of naturally occurring L-amino acids. D Amino acids and L-amino acids have almost the same physical and chemical properties. D-Amino acids have been considered to be unnatural substances that are produced only when we synthesise amino acids in laboratories or factories. Indeed, equal amounts of D-amino acids and L-amino acids (racemic mixture) are produced by chemical synthesis. Until recently, living organisms were thought to contain exclusively L-amino acids. Before the emergence of life, D- and L-amino acids should have existed on the primitive earth, because amino acids are considered to be produced under the conditions of high temperature, high pressure and lightning. It is an interesting and important question why D-amino acids were eliminated and organisms have evolved using only L-amino acids. This mystery has not been solved. D-Amino acids have been considered exceptional amino acids that exist only in prokaryotes and a part of lower organisms. However, the development and improvement of analytical instruments and methods have revealed that D-amino acids are present in organisms far more in the amount and extent than previously considered. It has become clear that D-amino acids are present in invertebrates and vertebrates including humans and that some of D-amino acids have important physiological functions. Biological systems for synthesis and degradation of D-amino acids have also been found. This volume is dedicated to analytical methods for D-Amino Acids in Peptides and Proteins.

Seller Inventory # 9781607413783

Bibliographic Details

• Title: D-Amino Acids : Practical Methods & Protocols -- Volume 3: D-Amino Acids in Peptides & Proteins
• Publisher: Nova Science Publishers Inc Mär 2010
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1607413787
• ISBN 13: 9781607413783
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 264W x 184H x 14D millimeters 264 millimeters width by 184 millimeters height by 14 millimeters depth
• Weight: 480 grams

About this title

Synopsis

D-Amino acids are stereoisomers or optical isomers of naturally occurring L-amino acids. D Amino acids and L-amino acids have almost the same physical and chemical properties. D-Amino acids have been considered to be unnatural substances that are produced only when we synthesise amino acids in laboratories or factories. Indeed, equal amounts of D-amino acids and L-amino acids (racemic mixture) are produced by chemical synthesis. Until recently, living organisms were thought to contain exclusively L-amino acids. Before the emergence of life, D- and L-amino acids should have existed on the primitive earth, because amino acids are considered to be produced under the conditions of high temperature, high pressure and lightning. It is an interesting and important question why D-amino acids were eliminated and organisms have evolved using only L-amino acids. This mystery has not been solved. D-Amino acids have been considered exceptional amino acids that exist only in prokaryotes and a part of lower organisms. However, the development and improvement of analytical instruments and methods have revealed that D-amino acids are present in organisms far more in the amount and extent than previously considered. It has become clear that D-amino acids are present in invertebrates and vertebrates including humans and that some of D-amino acids have important physiological functions. Biological systems for synthesis and degradation of D-amino acids have also been found. This volume is dedicated to analytical methods for D-Amino Acids in Peptides and Proteins.