concept

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid not used in protein synthesis. Its role is to serve as an intermediate in methionine metabolism. Homocysteine itself is located at a branch-point of metabolic pathways: either it is irreversibly degraded via the transsulphuration pathway to cysteine or it is remethylated back to methionine. ----------- Homocysteine /ˌhoʊmoʊˈsɪstiːn/ is a non-proteinogenic α-amino acid. It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge (-CH2-). It is biosynthesized from methionine by the removal of its terminal Cε methyl group. In the body, homocysteine can be recycled into methionine or converted into cysteine with the aid of certain B-vitamins. High levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) is regarded as a marker of cardiovascular disease, likely working through atherogenesis, which can result in ischemic injury. Therefore, hyperhomocysteinemia is a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurs when an atherosclerotic plaque blocks blood flow to the coronary arteries, which supply the heart with oxygenated blood.[3] [4] Hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with the occurrence of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes, although it is unclear whether hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for these conditions.[5] Hyperhomocysteinemia also has been associated with early-term spontaneous abortions[6] and with neural tube defects.[7]

Ref:
Blom HJ, Smulders Y. Overview of homocysteine and folate metabolism. With special references to cardiovascular disease and neural tube defects. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2011 Feb;34(1):75-81. doi: 10.1007/s10545-010-9177-4. Epub 2010 Sep 4. PMID: 20814827; PMCID: PMC3026708. ---------- Source: Wikipedia

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Added on May 17, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer
Edited on Sep 24, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer

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