Glycine

Glycine (Gly or G) is an amino acid found in proteins.

Structure of glycine

Like all of the amino acids, glycine has two functional groups, a carboxyl group (COOH) and an amine group (NH2). It has the simplest side chain of all of the amino acids, composed of a single hydrogen atom (-H).

Function of glycine

Glycine is not an essential amino acid as it is produced from serine.

In addition to being contained in proteins, glycine has other important functions.

• It is a neuromediator which acts at synapses,
• and is a precursor of many molecules (porphyrins).