Glycine betaine aldehyde explained

Glycine betaine aldehyde, often simply called betaine aldehyde,^[1] is an intermediate in the metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine. The human aldehyde dehydrogenase stimulates the transformation of betaine aldehyde to glycine betaine. Betaine aldehyde is a substrate for choline dehydrogenase (mitochondrial).^[2]

Chemical structure

Glycine betaine aldehyde is a short chain aldehyde and quaternary ammonium compound. It can be considered a derivative of the amino acid glycine. Its chemical formula is C₅H₁₂NO⁺.

Biological function

Glycine betaine aldehyde is a component of glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. It also serves as an osmolyte.

It can be found in cytoplasm and mitochondria within the kidney, neurons, and stratum corneum.^[3]

Notes and References

1. http://www.bmrb.wisc.edu/metabolomics/gen_metab_summary_5.php?molName=betaine_aldehyde Betaine aldehyde
2. Yilmaz JL, Bülow L. . Enhanced stress tolerance in Escherichia coli and Nicotiana tabacum expressing a betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase/choline dehydrogenase fusion protein.. Biotechnol. Prog. . 18. 6 . 1176–82. December 2002 . 12467448. 10.1021/bp020057k. 8054758.
3. https://hmdb.ca/metabolites/HMDB0001252