any of several isomers of a colorless, crystalline, water-soluble amino acid, CH3CH(NH2)COOH, found in many proteins and produced synthetically: used chiefly in biochemical research. Abbreviation:Ala; Symbol:A
Main Entry: al·a·nine Pronunciation: 'al-&-"nEn Function: noun : a simple nonessential crystalline amino acidC3H7NO2 formed especially by the hydrolysis of proteins—abbreviation Ala