''N''-Methyl--glutamic acid (methylglutamate) is a chemical

derivative In mathematics, the derivative of a function of a real variable measures the sensitivity to change of the function value (output value) with respect to a change in its argument (input value). Derivatives are a fundamental tool of calculus. F ...

glutamic acid Glutamic acid (symbol Glu or E; the ionic form is known as glutamate) is an α-amino acid that is used by almost all living beings in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is a non-essential nutrient for humans, meaning that the human body can synt ...

in which a methyl group has been added to the amino group. It is an intermediate in methane metabolism. Biosynthetically, it is produced from

methylamine Methylamine is an organic compound with a formula of . This colorless gas is a derivative of ammonia, but with one hydrogen atom being replaced by a methyl group. It is the simplest primary amine. Methylamine is sold as a solution in methanol, ...

and

by the enzyme methylamine—glutamate ''N''-methyltransferase. It can also be demethylated by methylglutamate dehydrogenase to regenerate glutamic acid.

References

Amino acid derivatives Dicarboxylic acids Secondary amino acids {{organic-compound-stub