Page 104 - BIOCHEMISTRY II
P. 104
4- Amino Acids:
• All 20 of the amino acids, except leucine and lysine,
can be degraded to TCA cycle intermediates as
discussed in the metabolism of amino acids.
• This allows the carbon skeletons of the amino acids to
be converted to those in oxaloacetate and
subsequently into pyruvate.
• When glycogen stores are depleted, in muscle during
exertion and liver during fasting, catabolism of
muscle proteins to amino acids contributes the major
source of carbon for maintenance of blood glucose
levels.
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