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Leucine L (Leu)

Chemical Properties:
    Aliphatic
(Aliphatic R-group)
Physical Properties:
    Nonpolar


Leucine
, an essential amino acid, is one of the three amino acid with a branched hydrocarbon side chain. It has one additional methylene group in its side chain compared with valine.

Like valine, leucine is hydrophobic and generally buried in folded proteins.

Molecular Structure for Leucine (CH3)2-CH-CH2-CH(NH3)-COO
Chemical structure for leucine

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The Biology Project > Biochemistry > The Chemistry of Amino Acids


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Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
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August 25, 2003
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