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Title: Isoleucine  
Author: World Heritage Encyclopedia
Language: English
Subject: Essential amino acid, Amino acid, Threonine, Valine, Alanine
Publisher: World Heritage Encyclopedia


Chemical structure of Isoleucine Chemical structure of Isoleucine
CAS number  YesY
ChemSpider  YesY
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Molecular formula C6H13NO2
Molar mass 131.17 g mol−1
Supplementary data page
Structure and
n, εr, etc.
Phase behaviour
Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data UV, IR, NMR, MS
 YesY   YesY/N?)

Isoleucine (abbreviated as Ile or I)[1] is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCH(NH2)CH(CH3)CH2CH3. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Its codons are AUU, AUC and AUA.

With a hydrocarbon side chain, isoleucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid. Together with threonine, isoleucine is one of two common amino acids that have a chiral side chain. Four stereoisomers of isoleucine are possible, including two possible diastereomers of L-isoleucine. However, isoleucine present in nature exists in one enantiomeric form, (2S,3S)-2-amino-3-methylpentanoic acid.


As an essential nutrient, it is not synthesized in the body, hence it must be ingested, usually as a component of proteins. In plants and microorganisms, it is synthesized via several steps, starting from pyruvic acid and alpha-ketoglutarate. Enzymes involved in this biosynthesis include:[2]

  1. Acetolactate synthase (also known as acetohydroxy acid synthase)
  2. Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase
  3. Dihydroxyacid dehydratase
  4. Valine aminotransferase


Isoleucine is both a glucogenic and a ketogenic amino acid. After transamination with alpha-ketoglutarate the carbon skeleton can be converted into either Succinyl CoA, and fed into the TCA cycle for oxidation or converted into oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis (hence glucogenic). It can also be converted into Acetyl CoA and fed into the TCA cycle by condensing with oxaloacetate to form citrate. In mammals Acetyl CoA cannot be converted back to carbohydrate but can be used in the synthesis of ketone bodies or fatty acids, hence ketogenic.

Biotin, sometimes referred to as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, is an absolute requirement for the full catabolism of isoleucine (as well as leucine). Without adequate biotin, the human body will be unable to fully break down isoleucine and leucine molecules.[3] This can lead to numerous physiological issues (related to muscle maintenance and protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism) as well as cognitive issues resulting from general metabolic pathway failure and the irritating effects of hydroxyisovalerate, a byproduct of incomplete isoleucine catabolism. Isovaleric acidemia is an example of a disorder caused by incomplete catabolism of leucine.

Nutritional Sources


Isomers of isoleucine

Forms of Isoleucine
PubChem: CID 791 CID 94206 CID 6306 CID 76551
EINECS number:
L-isoleucine (2S,3S) and D-isoleucine (2R,3R)
L-allo-isoleucine (2S,3R) and D-allo-isoleucine (2R,3S)


Isoleucine can be synthesized in a multistep procedure starting from 2-bromobutane and diethylmalonate.[5] Synthetic isoleucine was originally reported in 1905.[6]

German chemist Felix Ehrlich discovered isoleucine in hemoglobin in 1903.


  3. ^ "Biotin & Detoxification Needs in Cognitively Delayed Adult - Metametrix Learning Center". Retrieved 2013-10-18. 
  4. ^ [1], List is in order of highest to lowest of per 200 Calorie serving of the food, not volume or weight.
  5. ^ "dl-Isoleucine",  
  6. ^ Bouveault and Locquin, Compt. rend., 141, 115 (1905).

External links

  • Food Sources of Isoleucine
  • Isoleucine and valine biosynthesis

