Threonine
Threonine — An essential amino acid (Thr, T) with a hydroxyl-bearing side chain, serving as a phosphorylation site and important in glycoprotein formation.
What Is Threonine?
Threonine (Thr, T) is a polar amino acid with a hydroxyl-bearing side chain and a beta-branched chiral center (MW: 119.12 Da). Like serine, threonine is a phosphorylation target for Ser/Thr kinases and a site for O-linked glycosylation. Its beta-branching gives it moderate beta-sheet propensity.
Synthesis Considerations
- Protection: tBu ether protecting group in Fmoc SPPS, removed during TFA cleavage
- Pseudoprolines: Thr-derived pseudoproline dipeptides disrupt on-resin aggregation
- Beta-elimination: Under strongly basic conditions, Thr can undergo beta-elimination, a side reaction to monitor during synthesis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Threonine?
An essential amino acid (Thr, T) with a hydroxyl-bearing side chain, serving as a phosphorylation site and important in glycoprotein formation.
Why is Threonine important in peptide research?
Threonine is a fundamental concept in amino acid as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.