Posted by DSCH on November 4, 2003, at 13:03:03
In reply to Re: Glad I asked that question, then ;-) » DSCH, posted by Larry Hoover on November 4, 2003, at 9:27:04
> Valine also uses the same transporter, so there are six, not five, competitors. Gabapentin and other drugs will compete for it, as well.
>
> Anyway, leucine and isoleucine seem to serve structural roles in specialized proteins, and modulate the activity of receptors such as GABA(A) and GABA(B), NMDA, and NA.
>
> Most people have no problem getting an adequate supply of these aminos, but disturbances in proportions of these six aminos are associated with certain pathologies....Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, mania, depression, OCD.Hmmmm... proteins glom up into plaques that kill cells in Alzheimer's (also Huntington's Chorea IIRC). But those proteins are glutamine heavy are they not?
The prion brain diseases (Fatal Familial Insomnia, CJD, etc.) are somewhat similar, but with those there appears to be a folding autocatalysis that makes the disease progression far more rapid.
> It's hard to get a clear picture of what leucine and isoleucine do.
>
> LarKinda makes me glad I've dropped precursor loading for TMG.
poster:DSCH
thread:275292
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/276510.html