Disrupted branched-chain amino acid catabolism impair cardiac insulin signaling and is associated with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. BISWAS D, PULINILKUNNIL T. J Mol Cell Cardiol . 2020 Dec 27;153:93-94. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2020.12.011.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val), account for ~20% of dietary protein intake . BCAAs are reversibly transaminated to their corresponding branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) by branched-chain aminotransferase (BCAT). BCKAs are oxidatively decarboxylated by branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH). BCKDH activity is inhibited by branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) mediated inhibitory phosphorylation or activated by protein phosphatase 2C (PP2Cm) induced dephosphorylation Read here