3-Aminoisobutyric acid

3-Aminoisobutyric acid
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name 3-Amino-2-methylpropanoic acid
	Other names 3-Aminoisobutyrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	144-90-1 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:27389 ;
ChemSpider	58481 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.132
KEGG	C05145 ;
PubChem CID	64956;
UNII	T68ALE2O9F ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10861821 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C4H9NO2/c1-3(2-5)4(6)7/h3H,2,5H2,1H3,(H,6,7) Key: QCHPKSFMDHPSNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/C4H9NO2/c1-3(2-5)4(6)7/h3H,2,5H2,1H3,(H,6,7) Key: QCHPKSFMDHPSNR-UHFFFAOYAN;
	SMILES CC(CN)C(=O)O; O=C(O)C(C)CN;
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H9NO2
Molar mass	103.12 g/mol
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

3-Aminoisobutyric acid (also known as β-aminoisobutyric acid or BAIBA) is a product formed by the catabolism of thymine.

During exercise, the increase of PGC-1α protein triggers the secretion of BAIBA from exercising muscles into the blood (concentration 2 to 3 μM in human serum). When BAIBA reaches white fat tissue, it activates the expression of thermogenic genes via PPARα receptors, resulting in browning of white fat cells. One of the consequences of BAIBA activity is increased background metabolism of BAIBA target cells.

BAIBA is thought to play a number of roles in cell metabolism, regulation of fat burning, and regulation of insulin, blood triglycerides, and total cholesterol.

BAIBA is found as a normal metabolite of skeletal muscle. Its plasma concentrations are increased by exercise. The increased production is likely a result of enhanced mitochondrial activity, as this increase is also observed in muscle of PGC-1a overexpression mice. BAIBA is a proposed protective factor against metabolic disorders since it can induce brown fat function.