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Molecule

Leucine

L-leucine

Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid with a hydrophobic side chain that helps proteins fold and pack.

Overview

EXPLORE BY LEVEL

Leucine is a branched-chain with a hydrophobic side chain that helps proteins fold and pack.

Quick Facts

AT A GLANCE
One-letter codeL
Three-letter codeLeu
Chemical formulaC₆H₁₃NO₂
Side chainBranched isobutyl group
Show 3 more facts
Side-chain chemistryNonpolar; branched-chain aliphatic
Human dietary contextEssential in the human diet
Protein-building setOne of the 20 standard protein-building amino acids

Follow the Connections

See how Leucine links to other biological records.

Open network
ConceptAmino AcidsincludesProcessTranslationincorporated duringPathwayBranched-chain Amino acid catabolismcan be catabolized in
All 3 Structured Connections
Amino Acids · ConceptINCLUDES →Leucine · Molecule
Leucine · MoleculeINCORPORATED DURING →Translation · Process
Leucine · MoleculeCAN BE CATABOLIZED IN →Branched-chain Amino acid catabolism · Pathway

Recommended Reading

Trusted references for learning more about Leucine.

textbookChemical Components of a CellMolecular Biology of the Cell · NCBI Bookshelf textbookFrom RNA to proteinMolecular Biology of the Cell · NCBI Bookshelf textbookBiochemistry · Essential Amino AcidsNCBI Bookshelf · StatPearls pathwayBranched-chain amino acid catabolism (R-HSA-70895)Reactome · Homo sapiens
Research Claims

Leucine is a standard amino acid commonly used to build proteins.

Leucine uses the residue codes Leu and L.

Leucine is classified as essential in the usual human diet.