1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid

Description

1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid is a **non-proteinogenic amino acid** meaning it is not found in proteins naturally. However, it has attracted significant interest in research due to its unique structure and potential biological activities.

Here's a breakdown of its importance:

**Structure:**

* It is characterized by a **cyclopropane ring** fused with a carboxylic acid group and an amino group attached to the same carbon.
* This structural feature is unique and sets it apart from common amino acids.

**Biological Significance:**

* **Antimicrobial activity:** Studies have shown that 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, including **Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains**. This makes it a promising candidate for development as a new antibiotic.
* **Enzyme inhibition:** The unique structure can interact with specific enzymes and potentially inhibit their activity. Research is ongoing to explore this aspect and identify potential applications in drug development.
* **Potential for new therapeutics:** The combination of its antimicrobial activity and potential for enzyme inhibition makes this compound a valuable target for drug discovery.

**Research Applications:**

* **Developing new antibiotics:** The antimicrobial properties of 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid make it a promising candidate for the development of novel antibiotics to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
* **Exploring new drug targets:** The potential for enzyme inhibition opens up new avenues for drug discovery in various therapeutic areas.
* **Probing protein structure and function:** The unique structure of this amino acid can serve as a tool to investigate the structure and function of proteins, potentially leading to a better understanding of biological processes.

**Overall, 1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid is a unique and potentially valuable molecule with significant research potential, particularly in the fields of antimicrobial drug development and enzyme inhibition.**

1-amino-2-ethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid: an ethylcyclopropyl amino-acid derived from isoleucine; it may be coupled to coronafacic acid by coronafacate ligase to form coronatine; substrate of malonyltransferase & inhibitor of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid malonyltransferase; RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]