nutrient
Threonine
An essential amino acid with a polar hydroxyl side chain.
Threonine is incorporated into proteins, and its carbon portion can follow more than one route when it is broken down.
A polar side chain in proteins
The hydroxyl group gives threonine a polar surface that can interact with water and neighbouring groups in a folded protein.
Related topics
Threonine is used to build Protein
Threonine is one of the amino acids used to assemble proteins.
Worth knowing
It is required from dietary protein. Humans cannot synthesise enough threonine and obtain it from dietary protein.
A closer look
Its carbon can form succinyl-CoA
After amino-group handling, one threonine breakdown route produces succinyl-CoA, an intermediate in central metabolism.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- NIH National Library of MedicineBiochemistry, Essential Amino AcidsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of MedicineBiochemistry, Protein CatabolismChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of MedicineBiochemistry, Primary Protein StructureChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of MedicineBiochemistry, Collagen SynthesisChecked 2026-09-05