Phenylalanine

Phenylalanine (symbol Phe or F) is an essential α-amino acid. 

This essential amino acid is neutral and nonpolar. This is  because of the inert and hydrophobic nature of the benzyl side chain. 

The L-isomer is used to biochemically form proteins coded for by DNA. 

Phenylalanine is a precursor for tyrosine, the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), epinephrine (adrenaline), and the skin pigment melanin. It is encoded by the codons UUU and UUC.

 References 

Category:Amino acids