5-aminolevulinic acid-

5-Amino-4-oxopentanoic acid is a non-protein amino acid that plays a rate-limiting role in heme biosynthesis.
Solid
5-aminolevulinic acid is the simplest delta-amino acid in which the hydrogens at the gamma position are replaced by an oxo group. It is metabolised to protoporphyrin IX, a photoactive compound which accumulates in the skin. Used (in the form of the hydrochloride salt)in combination with blue light illumination for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratosis of the face or scalp. It has a role as a photosensitizing agent, an antineoplastic agent, a dermatologic drug, a prodrug, a plant metabolite, a human metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a mouse metabolite. It is a delta-amino acid and a 4-oxo monocarboxylic acid. It derives from a 4-oxopentanoic acid. It is a conjugate base of a 5-ammoniolevulinic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 5-aminolevulinate. It is a tautomer of a 5-ammoniolevulinate.|Aminolevulinic acid is a Porphyrin Precursor.|Aminolevulinic Acid is a topically administered metabolic precursor of protoporphyrin IX. After topical administration, aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is converted to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) which is a photosensitizer. When the proper wavelength of light activates protoporphyrin IX, singlet oxygen is produced, resulting in a local cytotoxic effect. (NCI04)|A compound produced from succinyl-CoA and GLYCINE as an intermediate in heme synthesis. It is used as a PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY for actinic KERATOSIS.