Description
Glycine (GLY) is one of the 20 standard amino acids commonly found in proteins. GLY side chain is a hydrogen substituent, thus it is the only amino acid that is not chiral and the smallest among the proteogenic amino acids. Basic functions of Glycine include the participation in the synthesis of creatine, glutathione, heme groups, and conjugated bile acids (bile salts). It is also present as one of the most abundant residues in the triple-helical structure of collagen. It acts as a glucogenic amino acid regulating sugar levels in blood. Therefore, glycine supplementation has been used in patients suffering anemia, hypoglycemia and chronic fatigue. In cancer cells, GLY consumption is highly correlated to cancer cell proliferation, via purine synthesis. Glycine uptake in cancer cell studies supports the role of this amino acid in tumorigenesis and malignancy. GLY possesses both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter functions in the brain stem and spinal cord