| Neutral polar amino acids
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Neutral polar amino acids contain hydroxyl or amide side-chain groups. Serine and threonine contain hydroxyl groups. These amino acids are sometimes found at the active sites of catalytic proteins, enzymes (Chapter 5). Reversible phosphorylation of peripheral serine and threonine residues of enzymes is also involved in regulation of energy metabolism and fuel storage in the body (Chapter 12). Asparagine and glutamine have amide-bearing side chains. These are polar, but uncharged under physiological conditions. Serine, threonine and asparagine are the primary sites of linkage of sugars to proteins, forming glycoproteins (Chapter 25).
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