nutrient
Glutamic acid
A non-essential amino acid that helps collect and redistribute nitrogen.
Educational draft · Human scientific and editorial review pending. About review status
Glutamate is formed in transamination reactions and can also act as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system.
How it works
A central nitrogen-transfer molecule
Many amino acids transfer their amino group to α-ketoglutarate, producing glutamate. Transamination therefore moves nitrogen between an amino acid and a carbon-based partner.
Related topics
Glutamic acid is used to build Protein
Glutamic acid is one of the amino acids used to assemble proteins.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: NIH National Library of Medicine: Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids
Worth knowing
Its side chain carries a negative charge. Glutamate has a second carboxyl group, so its side chain is commonly negative in physiological conditions.
A closer look
Its carbon returns to the citric-acid cycle
Removing glutamate’s amino group regenerates α-ketoglutarate, an intermediate in the citric-acid cycle.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Essential Amino AcidsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Protein CatabolismChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Primary Protein StructureChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Collagen SynthesisChecked 2026-09-05
Take it into the kitchen
Explore this nutrient in simple meals. Recipe pages show estimated amounts and missing data.
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