tryptophan

A nonpolar aromatic amino acid with the formula C₈H₆NCH₂CH(NH₂)COOH. Tryptophan is synthesized via the shikimic acid pathway and broken down to alanine and acetyl CoA. As with the other aromatic amino acids, tryptophan is the precursor of many aromatic compounds. Examples are the auxin indoleacetic acid and certain of the indole alkaloids, such as strychnine and yohimbine.