Molecular Weight: 131.17
Isolectric point (pH) 5.98
Molecular Formula: C 6H13N O2
Leucine
is one of the 20 most common amino acids on
Earth, and coded for by DNA. Its chemical composition is identical to that
of isoleucine, but its atoms are arranged differently resulting
in different properties. Nutritionally, in humans,
leucine is an essential amino acid.
Leucine, like isoleucine and valine, is a hydrophobic
amino acid that is found on the interior of
proteins and enzymes and has a significant structural
role. Leucine ties glycine for the position
of second most common amino acid found in proteins.