Those amino acids that can form any of the intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism can subsequently be converted to glucose via a metabolic pathway known as gluconeogenesis.
These amino acids are called glucogenic amino acids.
- An α-amino group in an amino acid is transferred to an α-keto acid (2-oxoglutarate)
- i.e., interconversion of amino acids and keto acids occurs.
- As a result, amino acids are converted into 2-oxo acids to serve as an energy source.