Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health pp 187–199Cite as

Metabolism and Functions of Amino Acids in the Skin

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1265))

Abstract

Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins, including the most abundant fibrous proteins in the skin, as keratins, collagen and elastin. Sagging and wrinkled skin are features of chronic sun-damaged and aged uncared skin, and they are mainly associated with the deterioration of collagen and elastic fibers. The maintenance of skin structures by self-repair processes is essential to skin health. Thus, amino acids significantly impact the appearance of the skin. Amino acids are important nutrients required for (a) wound healing promotion and repair of the damaged skin; (b) acid-base balance and water retention in cellular layers, such as stratum corneum; (c) protection against sunlight damage; (d) maintenance of an appropriate skin microbiome. This review highlights the contribution of all proteinogenic amino acids and some related metabolites to the skin structures as constituents of the main cutaneous proteins or as signaling molecules for the regulation and determination of skin physiology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aito-Inoue M, Lackeyram D, Fan MZ, Sato K, Mine Y (2007) Transport of a tripeptide, Gly-Pro-Hyp, across the porcine intestinal brush-border membrane. J Pept Sci 3:468–474. https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.870

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albaugh VL, Mukherjee K, Barbul A (2017) Proline precursors and collagen synthesis: biochemical challenges of nutrient supplementation and wound healing. J Nutr 147(11):2011–2017

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander JW, Supp DM (2014) Role of arginine and Omega-3 fatty acids in wound healing and infection. Adv Wound Care 3(11):682–690

    Google Scholar 

  • Auerbach LJ, DeClerk BK, Fathman CG, Gurtner GC, Auerbach PS (2014) Poly-L-arginine topical lotion tested in a mouse model for frostbite injury. Wilderness Environ Med 25(2):160–165

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Badiu DL, Luque R, Dumitrescu E, Craciun A, Dinca D (2010) Amino acids from Mytilus galloprovincialis (L.) and Rapana venosa molluscs accelerate skin wounds healing via enhancement of dermal and epidermal neoformation. Protein J 29:81–92

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barresi C, Stremnitzer C, Mlitz V, Kezik S, Kammeyer A, Ghannadan M, Posa-Markaryan K, Seiden C, Tschachier E, Eckhart L (2010) Increased sensitivity of histidinemic mice to UVB radiation suggests a crucial role of endogenous urocanic acid in photoprotection. J Invest Dermatol 131:188–194

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bos JD, Meinardi MM (2000) The 500 Dalton rule for the skin penetration of chemical compounds and drugs. Exp Dermatol 9:165–169

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bozkırlı BO, Gündoğdu RH, Ersoy E, Lortlar N, Yıldırım Z, Temel H, Oduncu M, Karakaya J (2015) Pilot experimental study on the effect of arginine, glutamine, and β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate on secondary wound healing. J Parenter Enter Nutr 39(5):591–597

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner M, Hearing VJ (2008) The protective role of melanin against UV damage in human skin. Photochem Photobiol 84(3):539–549

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA (2018) The human skin microbiome. Nature Rev Microbiol 16:143–155

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carignan MO, Cardozo KH, Oliveira-Silva D, Colepicolo P, Carreto JI (2009) Palythine-threonine, a major novel mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) isolated from the hermatypic coral Pocillopora capitata. J Photochem Photobiol B 94(3):191–200

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Childress B, Stechmiller JK (2002) Role of nitric oxide in wound healing. Biol Res Nursing 4(1):–15

  • Choi HR, Kang YA, Ryoo SJ, Shin JW, Na JI, Huh CH, Park KC (2012) Stem cell recovering effect of copper-free GHK in skin. J Pept Sci 18(11):685–690

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corsetti G, D’Antona G, Dioguardi SF, Rezzani R (2010) Topical application of dressing with amino acids improves cutaneous wound healing in aged rats. Acta Histochem 1128(5):497–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Danzberger J, Donovan M, Rankl C, Zhu R, Vicic S, Baltenneck C, Enea R, Hinterdorfer P, Luengo GS (2018) Glycan distribution and density in native skin’s stratum corneum. Skin Res Tech 24(3):450–458

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Draelos ZD (2010) Nutrition and enhancing youthful-appearing skin. Clin Dermatol 28:400–408

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durden DL (2016) Asparaginase and treating diseases associated with asparagine dependence. US Patent 9,353,366, Google Patents

    Google Scholar 

  • Fajuyigbe D, Lwin SM, Diffey BL, Baker R, Tobin DJ, Sarkany RPE, Young AR (2018) Melanin distribution in human epidermis affords localized protection against DNA photodamage and concurs with skin cancer incidence difference in extreme phototypes. FASEB J 32(7):3700–3706

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser RDB, MacRae TP, Rogers GE (1972) In: Thomas CC (ed) Keratins: their composition, structure and biosynthesis. . Springfield, Ill, pp 304

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujii N, Takata T, Fujii N, Aki K, Sakaue H (2018) D-Amino acids in protein: the mirror of life as a molecular index of aging. Biochip Biophys Acta 1866(7):840–847

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Genovese L, Corbo A, Sibilla S (2017) An insight into the changes in skin texture and properties following dietary intervention with a Nutricosmeceutical containing a blend of collagen bioactive peptides and antioxidants. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 30:146–158

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs NK, Norval M (2011) Urocanic acid in the skin: a mixed blessing? J Invest Dermatol 131:14–17

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Guillén MC, Giménez B, López-Caballero ME (2011) M.P.Montero. Functional and bioactive properties of collagen and gelatin from alternative sources: a review. Food Hydrocoll 25(8):1813–1827

    Google Scholar 

  • Goswami S, Haldar C (2015) Melatonin as a possible antidote to UV radiation induced cutaneous damages and immune-suppression: an overview. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol 153:281–288

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horii I, Nakayama Y, Obata M, Tagami H (1989) Stratum corneum hydration and amino acid content in xerotic skin. Br J Dermatol 121(5):587–592

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hou YQ, Wu G (2017) Nutritionally nonessential amino acids: a misnomer in nutritional sciences. Adv Nutr 8:137–139

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hou YQ, Yin YL, Wu G (2015) Dietary essentiality of “nutritionally nonessential amino acids” for animals and humans. Exp Biol Med 240:997–1007

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hou YQ, He WL, Hu SD, Wu G (2019) Composition of polyamines and amino acids in plant-source foods for human consumption. Amino Acids 51:1153–1165

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu CY, Henry J, Raymond AA, Mechin MC, Pendaries V, Nassar D, Hansmann B, Balica S, Burlet-Schiltz O, Schmitt AM, Takahara H, Paul C, Serre G, Simon M (2011) Deimination of human filaggrin-2 promotes its proteolysis by calpain 1. J Biol Chem 286:23222–23233

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Iwai K, Hasegawa T, Taguchi Y, Morimatsu F, Sato K, Nakamura Y, Higashi A, Kido Y, Nakabo Y, Ohtsuki K (2005) Identification of food-derived collagen peptides in human blood after oral ingestion of gelatin hydrolysates. J Agric Food Chem 53:6531–6536

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson TM, Yuksel YU, Geesin JC, Gordon JS, Lane AT, Gracy RW (1990) Effects of aging and Xerosis on the amino acid composition of human skin. J Invest Dermatol 95(3):296–300

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ji Y, Dai ZL, Sun SQ, Ma XS, Yang Y, Tso P, Wu G, Wu ZL (2018) Hydroxyproline attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice: involvement of the NF-κB signaling and oxidative stress. Mol Nutr Food Res 62:1800494

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaneko K, Smetana-Just U, Matsui M, Young AR, John S, Norval M, Walker SL (2008) Cis-Urocanic acid initiates gene transcription in primary human keratinocytes. J Immunol 181:217–224

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karna E, Miltyk W, Wolczynski S, Palka J (2001) A The potential mechanism for glutamine-induced collagen biosynthesis in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 130:23–32

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kawashima M, Yokose U, Hachiya A, Fujimura T, Tsukahara K, Kawada H, Kitahara T, Takema Y, Terui T, Nakagawa H (2013) Improvement of crow’s feet lines by topical application of 1-carbamimidoyl-L-proline(CLP). Eur J Dermatol 23(2):195–201

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kicklighter CE, Kamio M, Nguyen L, Germann MW, Derby CD (2011) Mycosporine-like amino acids are multifunctional molecules in sea hares and their marine community. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 108(28):11494–11499

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H, Lim YJ, Park JH, Cho Y (2012) Dietary silk protein, sericin, improves epidermal hydration with increased levels of filaggrins and free amino acids in NC/Nga mice. Br. J. Nutr. 108:1726–1735

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koyama J, Horii I, Kawasaki K, Nakayama Y, Morikawa Y, Mitsui T, Kumagai H (1984) Free amino acids of stratum corneum as a biochemical marker to evaluate dry skin. J Soc Cosm Chem 35(4):183–195

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence KP, Gacesa R, Long PF, Young AR (2018) Molecular photoprotection of human keratinocytes in vitro by the naturally occurring mycosporine-like amino acid palythine. British J Dermatol 178(6):1353–1363

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Pham D, Lim KM, Joo KM, Park HS, Leung DYM, Ye YM (2017) Increased cis-to-trans urocanic acid ratio in the skin of chronic spontaneous urticaria patients. Sci Rep 7. Art. No. 1318

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Wu G (2018) Roles of dietary glycine, proline and hydroxyproline in collagen synthesis and animal growth. Amino Acids 50:29–38

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Wu G (2020) Composition of amino acids and related nitrogenous nutrients in feedstuffs for animal diets. Amino Acids 52:523–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Li B, Chen F, Wang X, Ji B, Wu Y (2007) Isolation and identification of antioxidative peptides from porcine collagen hydrolysate by consecutive chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Food Chem 102:1135–1143

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miniaci MC, Irace C, Capuozzo A, Piccolo M, Di Pascale A, Russo A, Santamaria R (2016) Cysteine prevents the reduction in keratin synthesis induced by iron deficiency in human keratinocytes. J Cell Biochem 117(2):402–412

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Molfino A, Gioia G, Rossi Fanelli F, Muscaritoli M (2013) Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation in health and disease: a systematic review of randomized trials. Amino Acids 45(6):1273–1292

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murakami H (2014) Branched chain amino acid cocktails and skin. In: Nutrition and Health book series, Chapter 1, pp 263–275

  • Murakami H, Shimbo K, Inoue Y, Takino Y, Kobayashi H (2012) Importance of amino acid composition to improve skin collagen protein synthesis rates in UV-irradiated mice. Amino Acids 42(6):2481–2489

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Omote K, Kawamata T, Kawamata M, Namiki A (1998) Formalin-induced release of excitatory amino acids in the skin of the rat hindpaw. Brain Res 787(1):161–164

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park K, Lee S, Lee YM (2013) Sphingolipids and antimicrobial peptides: function and roles in atopic dermatitis. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 21(4):251–257

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Postlethwaite AE, Seyer JM, Kang AH (1978) Chemotactic attraction of human fibroblasts to type I, II, and III collagens and collagen-derived peptides. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 75:871–875

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Proksch E,·Segger D,·Degwert J, Schunck M, Zague V, Oesser S (2014) Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 27:47–55

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Puviani M, Agostinis F, Milani M (2014) Barrier repair therapy for facial atopic eczema with a non-steroidal emollient cream containing rhamnosoft, ceramides and iso-leucine. A six-case report series. Minerva Pediatr 66(4):307–311

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ritz-Timme S, Laumeier I, Collins MJ (2003) Aspartic acid racemization: evidence for marked longevity of elastin in human skin. Br J Dermatol 149(5):951–959

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rydengård V, Shannon O, Lundqvist K, Kacprzyk L, Chalupka A, Olsson AK, Mörgelin M, Jahnen-Dechent W, Malmsten M, Schmidtchen A (2008) Histidine-rich glycoprotein protects from systemic Candida infection. PLoS Pathog 4(8):e1000116

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sardana K, Garg VK (2010) An observational study of methionine-bound zinc with antioxidants for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Dermatol Ther 23(4):411–418

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schallreuter KU, Wazira U, Kothari S, Gibbons NCJ, Moore J, Wood JM (2004) Human phenylalanine hydroxylase is activated by H2O2: a novel mechanism for increasing the l-tyrosine supply for melanogenesis in melanocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 322(1):88–92

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seguchi T, Chang-Yi C, Kusuda S, Takahashi M, Aisu K, Tezuka T (1996) Decreased expression of filaggrin in atopic skin. Arch Dermatol Res 288(8):442–446

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Senshu T, Kan S, Ogawa H, Manabe M, Asaga H (1996) Preferential deimination of keratin K1 and filaggrin during the terminal differentiation of human epidermis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 225:712–719

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serre C, Busuttil V, Botto JM (2018) Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of human skin melanogenesis and pigmentation. Int J Cosm Sci:1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Shigemura Y, Iwai K, Morimatsu F, Iwamoto T, Mori T, Oda C, Taira T, Park EY, Nakamura Y, Sato K (2009) Effect of prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp), a food-derived collagen peptide in human blood, on growth of fibroblasts from mouse skin. J Agric Food Chem 57:444–449

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sibilla S, Godfrey M, Brewer S, Budh-Raja A, Genovese L (2015) An Overview of the beneficial effects of hydrolysed collagen as a nutraceutical on skin properties: Scientific background and clinical studies. Open Nutr J 8:29–42

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slominski A, Moellmann G, Kuklinska E, Bomirski A, Pawelek J (1988) Positive regulation of melanin pigmentation by two key substrates of the melanogenic pathway, L-tyrosine and L-dopa. J Cell Sci 89:287–296

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slominski A, Tobin DJ, Zmijewski MA, Wortsman J, Paus R (2008) Melatonin in the skin: synthesis, metabolism and functions. Trends Endocr Metab 19(1):17–24

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Solano F (2014) Melanins: skin pigments and much more—types, structural models, biological functions, and formation routes. New J Sci 498276

    Google Scholar 

  • Solano F (2016) Photoprotection versus photodamage: updating an old but still unsolved controversy about melanin. Polym Int 65:1276–1287

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Solano F (2018) On the metal cofactor in the Tyrosinase family. Int J Mol Sci 19(2):633

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stechmiller JK, Childress B, Cowan L (2005) Arginine supplementation and wound healing. Nutr Clin Pract 20 (1):52–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoilov I, Starcher BC, Mecham RP, Broekelmann TJ (2018) Measurement of elastin, collagen, and total protein levels in tissues. Meth Cell Biol 143:133–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Surazynski A, Miltyk W, Palka J, Phang JM (2008) Prolidase-dependent regulation of collagen biosynthesis. Amino Acids 35(4):731–738

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Syed DN, Mukhtar H (2015) FICZ: a messenger of light in human skin. J Investig Dermato 135(6):1468–1701

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick J (1957) Urocanic acid, the major acid soluble, ultraviolet-absorbing compound in guinea pig epidermis. Arch Biochem Biophys 70:295

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Veis A, Anesey J (1965) Modes of intermolecular cross-linking in mature insoluble collagen. J Biol Chem 240(10):3899–3908

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wan P (2011) Pellagra: a review with emphasis on photosensitivity. Br J Dermatol 164(6):1188–1200

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe-Kamiyama M, Shimizu M, Kamiyama S, Taguchi Y, Sone H, Morimatsu F, Shirakawa H, Furukawa Y, Komai M (2010) Absorption and effectiveness of orally administered low molecular weight collagen hydrolysate in rats. J Agric Food Chem 58(2):835–841

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JZ, Abumrad N, Barbul A (2002) Effect of a specialized amino acid mixture on human collagen deposition. Ann Surg 236(3):369–374

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wondrak GT, Jacobson MK, Jacobson EL (2006) Endogenous UVA-photosensitizers: mediators of skin photodamage and novel targets for skin photoprotection. Photochem Photobiol Sci 5:215–237

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu G (2013) Amino acids: biochemistry and nutrition. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Morris SM Jr (1998) Arginine metabolism: nitric oxide and beyond. Biochem J 336:1–17

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Bazer FW, Davis TA, Kim SW, Li P, Marc Rhoads J, Carey Satterfield M, Smith SB, Spencer TE, Yin Y (2009) Arginine metabolism and nutrition in growth, health and disease. Amino Acids 37:153–168

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Bazer FW, Burghardt RC, Johnson GA, Kim SW, Knabe DA, Li P, Li X, McKnight JR, Satterfield MC, Spencer TE (2011) Proline and hydroxyproline metabolism: implications for animal and human nutrition. Amino Acids 40:1053–1063

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Wu ZL, Dai ZL, Yang Y, Wang WW, Liu C, Wang B, Wang JJ, Yin Y (2013) Dietary requirements of “nutritionally nonessential amino acids” by animals and humans. Amino Acids 44:1107–1113

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Cross HR, Gehring KB, Savell JW, Arnold AN, McNeill SH (2016) Composition of free and peptide-bound amino acids in beef chuck, loin, and round cuts. J Anim Sci 94:2603–2613

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu ZL, Hou YQ, Dai ZL, Hu CA, Wu G (2019) Metabolism, nutrition and redox signaling of hydroxyproline. Antioxid Redox Signal 30:674–682

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xi PB, Jiang ZY, Dai ZL, Li XL, Yao K, Zheng CT, Lin YC, Wang JJ, Wu G (2012) Regulation of protein turnover by L-glutamine in porcine intestinal epithelial cells. J Nutr Biochem 23:1012–1017

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamane T, Morioka Y, Kitaura Y, Iwatsuki K, Shimomura Y, Oishi Y (2018) Branched-chain amino acids regulate type I tropocollagen and type III tropocollagen syntheses via modulation of mTOR in the skin. Biosci Biotech Biochem 82(4):611–615

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zague V (2008) A new view concerning the effects of collagen hydrolysate intake on skin properties. Arch Dermatol Res 300:479–483

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu H, Wang N, Yao L, Chen Q, Zhang R, Qian J, Hou Y, Guo W, Fan S, Liu S, Zhao Q, Du F, Zuo X, Guo Y, Xu Y, Li J, Xue T, Zhong K, Song X, Huang G, Xiong W (2018) Moderate UV exposure enhances learning and memory by promoting a novel glutamate biosynthetic pathway in the brain. Cell S0092−8674(18):30507–30505

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research work of the author related to this review has been supported by funds from the University of Murcia (ACI) and some research Grants from Seneca Foundation (CARM).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, School of Medicine, LAIB-IMIB University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    F. Solano

Authors
  1. F. Solano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Solano .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Guoyao Wu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Solano, F. (2020). Metabolism and Functions of Amino Acids in the Skin. In: Wu, G. (eds) Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1265. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45328-2_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation