The 20 types of proteins and their functions in the body

Amino acids and proteins: what role do they play in our body?

Proteins are macronutrients consisting basically of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, although some also contain sulfur and phosphorus.although some also contain sulfur and phosphorus. These elements studied by biology (and related sciences) explain much of the functioning of our body, both in terms of its movement and, for example, in terms of our mind. However, proteins are present in all forms of life, not only in our species.

Plants synthesize proteins from inorganic nitrogen, but animals, unable to carry out this process, have to incorporate these substances through the diet. Proteins are formed by the union of several amino acids, joined by peptide bonds.

Because these biomolecules are so important to understanding what our bodies are like, it is useful to know some of the most common types of proteins. to know some of the most common or relevant types of proteins or relevant to us, and also the amino acids that form them. In this article you will find a brief explanation of these two elements, both amino acids and proteins. Let's start with the former.

What are amino acids?

As we have seen, amino acids are the basis or the raw material of proteins.. Basically, they are the raw material from which our entire body is made: muscles, hair, bones, skin and even the brain tissue that produces our thoughts, emotions and consciousness.

Although hundreds of amino acids can be found in nature, only 20 are used in the formation of proteins. These are called protein amino acids.

The 20 types of protein amino acids

Protein amino acids, also called canonical amino acids, perform physiological functions on their own, as is the case of glycine or glutamate, which are neurotransmitters. Below you can find the 20 protein neurotransmitters:

• Recommended article: "Types of neurotransmitters: functions and classification".

1. Glutamic acid

This amino acid is considered to be the brain's gasoline. and one of its main functions is to absorb excess ammonia in the body.

2. Alanine

The main task of this amino acid is to involved in glucose metabolism.a.

3. Arginine

It is present in the detoxification process of the organism, in the urea cycle and in creatinine synthesis.It is involved in the urea cycle and in the synthesis of creatinine. It is also involved in the production and release of growth hormone.

4. Asparagine

It is synthesized from aspartic acid, and it eliminates eliminates, together with glutamine, excess ammonia from the body. and is involved in the improvement of fatigue resistance.

5. Cysteine

It intervenes in the process of elimination of heavy metals from the organism and is essential for hair growth and health.

6. Phenylalanine

Thanks to this amino acid it is possible to regulate the endorphins that are responsible for the feeling of well-being.. It reduces the excess of appetite and helps to calm pain.

7. Glycine

Helps the body in the creation of muscle massGlycine helps the body in the creation of muscle mass, proper healing, prevents infectious diseases and participates in the proper functioning of the brain.

8. Glutamine

Glutamine is found abundantly in the muscles. This amino acid increases brain function and mental activity and helps to solve impotence problems. and helps to solve impotence problems. In addition, it is essential to combat problems with alcohol.

9. Histidine

This amino acid is the precursor of histamine.. It is found abundantly in hemoglobin and is necessary for the production of both red blood cells and white blood cells in the blood. It is also involved in the growth process, tissue repair and the formation of myelin sheaths.

10. Isoleucine

This amino acid is part of the genetic code and is necessary for our muscle tissue and the formation of hemoglobin. and hemoglobin formation. It also helps regulate blood sugar.

11. Leucine

Like the previous amino acid it intervenes in the formation and repair of muscular tissue and collaborates in the healing of skin and bones. It also acts as energy in high effort workouts and helps to increase the production of growth hormone.

12. Lysine

Together with methionine, it synthesizes the amino acid carnitine and is important in the treatment of herpes.

13. Methionine

It is important to prevent some types of edemahigh cholesterol and hair loss.

14. Proline

It is responsible for the synthesis of several brain neurotransmitters related to temporary depression and also collaborates in the synthesis of collagen. related to temporary depression and also collaborates in the synthesis of collagen.

15. Serine

It is an amino acid that participates in the metabolism of fats and is a precursor of phospholipids. and is a precursor of phospholipids that nourish the nervous system.

16. Taurine

Taurine strengthens the heart muscle and prevents cardiac arrhythmias. and prevents cardiac arrhythmias. It improves vision and prevents macular degeneration.

17. Tyrosine

Tyrosine is noted for its function as a neurotransmitter and may help to alleviate anxiety or depression. and can help relieve anxiety or depression.

18. Threonine

Necessary in the detoxification process and is involved in the and participates in the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

19. Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, that is, the body itself cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained through food. It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with mood. Tryptophan is considered a natural Antidepressant and also promotes sleep. It is also a very healthy component and easy to find in healthy diets. easy to find in healthy diets..

• You can learn more about this neurotransmitter in this article: "Tryptophan: characteristics and functions of this amino acid".

20. Valine

Like some of the previous amino acids, it is important for the growth and repair of muscle tissues.. In addition, it is also involved in appetite regulation.

 

Essential and non-essential amino acids

Amino acids can be classified into essential and non-essential. The difference between them is that the former cannot be produced by the body and, therefore, must be ingested through food. The 9 essential amino acids are:

• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

Not all foods with high protein content have the same amount of amino acids. The protein with the highest amino acid content is egg protein.

Protein classification

Proteins can be classified in different ways. Below you can find the different types of protein.

1. According to their origin

One of the best known classifications is according to origin: animal proteins and vegetable proteins.

1.1. Animal proteins

Animal proteins are, as the name suggests, those that come from animals. For example, proteins from eggs or pork.

1.2. Vegetable proteins

Vegetable proteins are those that come from vegetables (legumes, wheat flour, nuts, etc.). For example, proteins from soybeans or peanuts.

According to their function

According to their function in our organismproteins can be classified into

2.1. Hormonal

These proteins are secreted by the endocrine glands. Generally transported through the blood, hormones act as chemical messengers that transmit information from one cell to another.

You can learn more about these types of peptide hormones in our article: "Types of hormones and their functions in the human body".

2.2. Enzymatic or catalytic proteins

These proteins accelerate metabolic processes in cells, including liver function, digestion or converting glycogen into glucose, etc.

2.3. Structural

Structural proteins, also known as fibrous proteins, are necessary components of our body. They include collagen, keratin and elastin. Collagen is found in connective, bone and cartilage tissue as is elastin. Keratin is a structural part of hair, nails, teeth and skin.

2.4. Defensive

These proteins have an immune or antibody function, keeping bacteria at bay. Antibodies are formed on white blood cells and attack bacteria, viruses and other dangerous microorganisms.

2.5. Storage

Storage proteins store mineral ions such as potassium or iron. Their function is important, since, for example, the storage of iron is vital to avoid the negative effects of iron.

2.6. Transport

One of the functions of proteins is transport within our body, because they transport minerals to the cells. Hemoglobin, for example, transports oxygen from the tissues to the lungs.

2.7. Receptors

These receptors are usually found outside the cells to control substances entering the cell. For example, GABAergic neurons contain various protein receptors in their membranes.

2.8. Contractile receptors

They are also known as motor proteins. These proteins regulate the strength and speed of the heart or muscle contractions. For example, myosin.

3. According to conformation

Conformation is the three-dimensional orientation that the characteristic groups of the protein molecule acquire in space, by virtue of the freedom in space, by virtue of the freedom they have to rotate.

3.1. Fibrous proteins

They are formed by polypeptide chains aligned in parallel. Collagen and keratin are examples. They have high shear strength and are insoluble in water and saline solutions. They are structural proteins.

3.2. Globular proteins

Polypeptide chains that roll up on themselves, resulting in a spherical-type macrostructure. They are usually water soluble and, in general, are the transport proteins.

4. According to their composition

Depending on their composition, proteins can be:

4.1. Holoproteins or simple proteins

They are mainly made up of amino acids.

4.2. Heteroproteins or conjugated proteins

They are usually composed of a non-amino acid component, and can be:

 

GlycoproteinsGlycoproteins: structure with sugars

 

• LipoproteinsLipid structure
• NucleoproteinsNucleoproteins : attached to a nucleic acid. For example, chromosomes and ribosomes.
• Metalloproteins: contain one or more metal ions in their molecule. For example: some enzymes.
• Hemoproteins o chromoproteinsThey have a heme group in their structure. For example: hemoglobin.