MOLECULE

L-Aspartate-semialdehyde

L-Aspartate-semialdehyde, also known as aspartic acid b-semialdehyde, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as l-alpha-amino acids. These are alpha amino acids which have the L-configuration of the alpha-carbon atom. L-Aspartate-semialdehyde is a very strong basic compound (based on its pKa). L-Aspartate-semialdehyde exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. Outside of the human body, L-Aspartate-semialdehyde has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as lowbush blueberries, nanking cherries, pomegranates, prickly pears, and spearmints. This could make L-aspartate-semialdehyde a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Dihydrodipicolinate synthase catalyzes this reaction. L-Aspartate-semialdehyde is involved in both the lysine biosynthesis I and homoserine biosynthesis pathways. L-Aspartate-semialdehyde reacts with NAD(P)H and H+ to form homoserine and NAD(P)+. L-Aspartate-semialdehyde reacts with pyruvate to produce L-2,3-dihydrodipicolinate and water. L-Aspartate-semialdehyde is expected to be in Cannabis as all living plants are known to produce and metabolize it.