CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

tryptophan    →   triptofan

Tryptophan is hydrophobic amino acids with aromatic side chain. Tryptophan is large aromatic residue that is normally found buried in the interior of a protein and is important for protein stability. Tryptophan has the largest side chain and is the least common amino acid in proteins. It has spectral properties that make it the best inherent probe for following protein folding and conformational changes associated with biochemical processes. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested.

• Abbreviations: Trp, W
• IUPAC name: 2-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
• Molecular formula: C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₂
• Molecular weight: 204.23 g/mol