4512 Sarcosine Sarcosine is the N-methyl derivative of glycine. Sarcosine is metabolized to glycine by the enzyme sarcosine dehydrogenase, while glycine-N-methyl transferase generates sarcosine from glycine. Sarcosine is a natural amino acid found in muscles and other body tissues. In the laboratory it may be synthesized from chloroacetic acid and methylamine. Sarcosine is naturally found in the metabolism of choline to glycine. Sarcosine is sweet to the taste and dissolves in water. It is used in manufacturing biodegradable surfactants and toothpastes as well as in other applications. Sarcosine is ubiquitous in biological materials and is present in such foods as egg yolks, turkey, ham, vegetables, legumes, etc. Sarcosine is formed from dietary intake of choline and from the metabolism of methionine, and is rapidly degraded to glycine. Sarcosine has no known toxicity, as evidenced by the lack of phenotypic manifestations of sarcosinemia, an inborn error of sarcosine metabolism. Sarcosinemia can result from severe folate deficiency because of the folate requirement for the conversion of sarcosine to glycine (Wikipedia). Sarcosine has recently been identified as a biomarker for invasive prostate cancer. It was found to be greatly increased during prostate cancer progression to metastasis and could be detected in urine. Sarcosine levels were also increased in invasive prostate cancer cell lines relative to benign prostate epithelial cells (A3519). 107-97-1 1088 C3H7NO2 89.09 White crystalline powder 210°C 89.1 g/L Endogenous, Eye contact, Ingestion. Sarcosine is an oncometabolite. Sarcosine appears to upregulate the expression of the potent oncoprotein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells upon exposure to exogenous sarcosine. Thus, sarcosine may induce prostate cancer progression by increased HER2/neu expression. Sarcosine is metabolized to glycine by the enzyme sarcosine dehydrogenase, while glycine-N-methyl transferase generates sarcosine from glycine. NA Not listed by IARC. Has been implicated in oncogenesis (A15089). Sarcosine can be used as a cognitive enhancer and to treat schizophrenia. Acute Exposure: Can lead to eye and skin irritation. Chronic Exposure: High levels of sarcosine in prostate tissues are associated with aggressive prostate tumors. In this regard, sarcosine appears to function as an oncometabolite. High levels of sarcosine are also seen in patients with sarcosinemia. Sarcosinemia is a rare inborn error of metabolism that is characterized by an increased level of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in the plasma and urine. The enzymatic block results from a deficiency of sarcosine dehydrogenase (SarDH), a liver mitochondrial matrix enzyme that converts sarcosine into glycine. The disease is mostly characterized by mental delay, cardiomyopathy, deafness and visual disturbance. Acute Exposure: eye irritation and skin irritation Chronic Exposure: sarcosinemia is associated with mental delay, cardiomyopathy, deafness and visual disturbance. In individuals with prostate cancer, high prostate tissue levels of sarcosine promote aggressive, rapidly growing prostate tumors. Acute Exposure: EYES: irrigate opened eyes for several minutes under running water. INGESTION: do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water (never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person). Seek immediate medical advice. SKIN: should be treated immediately by rinsing the affected parts in cold running water for at least 15 minutes, followed by thorough washing with soap and water. If necessary, the person should shower and change contaminated clothing and shoes, and then must seek medical attention. INHALATION: supply fresh air. If required provide artificial respiration. 2014-08-29T06:51:28Z 2026-05-14T19:22:33Z Sarcosine C00213 15611 SARCOSINE DB12519 SAR true CNCC(O)=O C3H7NO2 InChI=1S/C3H7NO2/c1-4-2-3(5)6/h4H,2H2,1H3,(H,5,6) FSYKKLYZXJSNPZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 89.0932 89.047678473 Endogenous Solid -2.78 HMDB00271 CHEMBL304383 1057 Cipens, G.; Slavinska, V.; Sile, D.; Kreile, D.; Strautina, A.; Krikis, A.; Gutmanis, A. Synthesis of sarcosine and its use. Latvijas PSR Zinatnu Akademijas Vestis, Kimijas Serija (1986), (5), 515-24. CHEM003418 DTXSID1047025 2-(methylamino)acetic acid 49.33 20.778 8.659577131531222 2 3 2 2.056675239103723 10.345946235601334 0 0 -3.06 0.54 3.08e+02 g/l