Title: Tryptophan
CAS Registry Number: 73-22-3
CAS Name: L-Tryptophan
Synonyms: Trp; W; (
S)-a-amino-1
H-indole-3-propanoic acid;
l-a-aminoindole-3-propionic acid;
l-a-amino-3-indolepropionic acid; 2-amino-3-indolylpropanoic acid;
l-b-3-indolylalanine
Trademarks: Ardeytropin (Ardeypharm); Kalma (Fresenius); Optimax (Merck KGaA); Pacitron (Rorer); Sedanoct (Woelm); Trofan (Upsher-Smith); Tryptan (Valeant)
Molecular Formula: C11H12N2O2
Molecular Weight: 204.23
Percent Composition: C 64.69%, H 5.92%, N 13.72%, O 15.67%
Literature References: An essential amino acid for human development; precursor of serotonin,
q.v. Isoln from casein: F. G. Hopkins, S. W. Cole,
J. Physiol. 27, 418 (1902). Structure: A. Ellinger,
Ber. 39, 2515 (1906); A. Ellinger, A. C. Flamand,
Ber. 40, 3029 (1907). Early chemistry and biochemistry:
Amino Acids and Proteins, D. M. Greenberg, Ed. (Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL, 1951) 950 pp.,
passim; J. P. Greenstein, M. Winitz,
Chemistry of the Amino Acids vols 1-3 (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961) pp. 2316-2347,
passim. Intrinsic fluorescent/phosphorescent moiety in proteins; used in characterizing structure and conformational changes: E. A. Burstein
et al., Photochem. Photobiol. 18, 263 (1973); C. Pokalsky
et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270, 3809 (1995); review of phosphorescence: S. Papp, J. M. Vanderkooi,
Photochem. Photobiol. 49, 775-784 (1989). Review of microbial production: T. K. Maiti, S. P. Chatterjee,
Hind. Antibiot. Bull. 33, 26-61 (1991). Review of biosynthesis: I. P. Crawford, G. V. Stauffer,
Annu. Rev. Biochem. 49, 163-195 (1980); of nutrition and metabolism: J. C. Peters.
Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 294, 345-358 (1991). Review of use in depression: S. N. Young,
J. Psychiatr. Neurosci. 16, 241-246 (1991); in neuropsychiatric disorders: R. Sandyk,
Int. J. Neurosci. 67, 127-144 (1992). Review as toxic agent in eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS): D. S. Milburn, C. W. Myers,
DICP Ann. Pharmacother. 25, 1259 (1991); L. D. Kaufman, R. M. Philen,
Drug Saf. 8, 89-98 (1993).
Properties: Leaflets or plates from dil alc, dec 289° (rapid heating). [a]D23 -31.5° (c = 1); [a]D20 +2.4° (0.5
N HCl); [a]D20 +0.15° (c = 2.43 in 0.5
N NaOH). pK1 2.38; pK2 9.39. Soly in water (g/l): 8.23 at 0°; 10.57 at 20°; 11.36 at 25°; 17.06 at 50°; 27.95 at 75°; 49.87 at 100°. Sol in hot alcohol, in alkali hydroxides. Insol in chloroform.
pKa: pK1 2.38; pK2 9.39
Optical Rotation: [a]D23 -31.5° (c = 1); [a]D20 +2.4° (0.5
N HCl); [a]D20 +0.15° (c = 2.43 in 0.5
N NaOH)
Derivative Type: Hydrochloride
Molecular Formula: C11H12N2O2.HCl
Molecular Weight: 240.69
Percent Composition: C 54.89%, H 5.44%, N 11.64%, O 13.29%, Cl 14.73%
Properties: Needles from methanol, dec 251°.
Use: Probe for studying protein structure and dynamics.
Therap-Cat: In treatment of depression, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Keywords: Antidepressant.