Alpha-Aminoadipic Acid

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein

**Definition:** An alpha-amino acid that is an intermediate in the lysine degradation pathway. It is synthesized from homoisocitrate and then converted to a semialdehyde that reacts with glutamic acid to form saccharopine. Alpha-aminoadipic acid levels are elevated in tissues of certain cancers and may potentially be used as a cancer biomarker.

**Synonyms:** - 2-Aminoadipate - 2-Aminoadipic Acid - 2-Aminohexanedioic Acid - Alpha-Aminoadipate - Alpha-amino Adipic Acid - Hexanedioic Acid, 2-Amino-