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tryptophan
(redirected from Triptofen)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
tryptophan /tryp·to·phan/ (Trp) (W) (trip´to-fan) a naturally occurring amino acid, existing in proteins and essential for human metabolism. It is a precursor of serotonin. Adequate levels may mitigate pellagra by compensating for deficiencies of niacin.
tryp·to·phan (trpt-fn) or tryp·to·phane (-fn)
n. Abbr. Try
An essential amino acid formed from proteins during the digestive process by the action of proteolytic enzymes.

Tryptophan
An essential amino acid that has to consumed in the diet because it cannot be manufactured by the body. Tryptophan is converted by the body to niacin, one of the B vitamins.
Mentioned in: Hartnup Disease

tryptophan (Trp)
[trip′təfan]
an amino acid essential for normal growth and nitrogen balance. Tryptophan is the precursor of several important biomolecules, including serotonin and niacin. See also amino acid, protein.
Chemical structure of tryptophanenlarge picture
Chemical structure of tryptophan

tryptophan (tripˑ·t·fan),
n an essential amino acid used in the treatment of insomnia, depression, behavioral disorders, stress, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Also called
L-tryptophan.
Enlarge picture
Chemical structure of tryptophan.

tryptophan,
n one of the essential amino acids. See also amino acid.

tryptophan, tryptophane
Trp; a naturally occurring amino acid, existing in proteins. High levels of intake of d,l-tryptophan are thought to be a significant cause of atypical interstitial pneumonia in cattle. The actual toxic agent is 3-methylindole, a metabolic product of d,l-tryptophan in the rumen.

D, L-tryptophan
component of some roughages; high levels can cause acute bovine pulmonary emphysema and edema.
tryptophan oxygenase
first enzyme in the catabolic pathway for tryptophan. Essential step in the pathway to synthesis of nicotinamide nucleotides NAD+ and NADP+. Approximately 30% of the nicotinamide nucleotide requirement of some animals can be supplied through this enzyme. The cat is notably lacking in the latter capacity.


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