Threonine
Threonine, an amino acid obtainable from many proteins. One of the last amino acids to be isolated (1935), threonine is one of several so-called essential amino acids; i.e., animals cannot synthesize it and require dietary sources. It is synthesized in microorganisms from the amino acid aspartic acid. The chemical structure of threonine is
This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Threonine
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
12 November 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026