Asparagine (Asn) is an amino acid which serves as a carrier and storage form of nitrogen. In this chapter, the history, chemical properties and general role of Asn will be examined, followed by an account of the history of asparagine synthetase (AsnS) research in humans, microbes and plants. The...

In mammals, the impact of nutrients on gene expression has become an important area of research. Nevertheless, the current understanding of amino acid-dependent control of gene expression is limited. Amino acids have multiple and important roles, so their homeostasis has to be finely maintained....