Question

Describe how glutamate can function as a key intermediate in both the degradation and biosynthesis of several amino acids.

Please be specific in a biochemical way.

Answer 1

Glutamate and α-ketoglutarate duo plays vital role in amino acid metabolism.

Upon deamination, glutamate produces α-ketoglutarate.

Upon amination, α-ketoglutarate produces glutamate.

Glutamate donates its amino group wherever it is required in amino acid metabolism (especially amino acid biosynthesis) and becomes α-ketoglutarate.

Glutamate is formed from α-ketoglutarate wherever amino group is release from amino acid metabolism (especially amino acid degradation).

In this way, glutamate functions as a key intermediate in amino acid metabolism.