Glycine betaine aldehyde

Glycine betaine aldehyde, often simply called betaine aldehyde,^[1] is an intermediate in the metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine. The human aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) stimulates the transformation of betaine aldehyde to glycine betaine. Betaine aldehyde is a substrate for choline dehydrogenase (mitochondrial).^[2]

Glycine betaine aldehyde

Names
IUPAC name N,N,N-Trimethylglycinium
Systematic IUPAC name N,N,N-Trimethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium
Other names Betaine aldehyde
Identifiers
CAS Number	7418-61-3 Y 7758-31-8 (chloride salt)
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:15710
ChemSpider	244
KEGG	C00576
PubChem CID	249
UNII	DEI7V5X7RB Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID20225152
InChI InChI=1/C5H12NO/c1-6(2,3)4-5-7/h5H,4H2,1-3H3/q+1 Key: SXKNCCSPZDCRFD-UHFFFAOYAL
SMILES O=CC[N+](C)(C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C5H12NO
Molar mass	102.157 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Chemical structure

Glycine betaine aldehyde is a short chain aldehyde and quaternary ammonium compound. It can be considered a derivative of the amino acid glycine. Its chemical formula is C₅H₁₂NO⁺.

Biological function

Glycine betaine aldehyde is a component of glycine, serine and threonine metabolism. It also serves as an osmolyte.

It can be found in cytoplasm and mitochondria within the kidney, neurons, and stratum corneum.^[3]