Leucine - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition leucine

Definition :

a naturally occurring alpha amino acid CH32CHCH2CHNH2 COOH one of the building units of almost all proteins of living organisms both animal and vegetable It is one of the essential amino acids not synthesized by the human body a required component for proper nutrition and is hydrophobic in character when bound in proteins In isolated form it is a white crystalline zwitterionic substance formed e g by the decomposition of proteins by pancreatic digestion by the action of boiling dilute mineral acid or by putrefaction Chemically it is to be considered as amido caproic acid It occurs as two optical isomers the L and D forms The L form L leucine is the natural form present in most proteins