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Amino acid derivatives are formed by replacing or reacting groups like amine, carboxyl, side chains, or hydrogen attached to the carbon atoms of amino acids. Beta amino acid, betaine, Alpha-ketoglutarate, etc., are some examples.

Some of the functions of amino acid derivatives are:

• Some amino acid derivatives function as neurotransmitters.Dopamine, an amino acid derivative derived from tyrosine, is an example of a neurotransmitter.
• Pharmaceutical companies use amino acid derivatives to synthesize medicines for different diseases.
• They have an important role in metabolic activities, for instance: glutathione.
• Certain amino acid derivatives act as enzymes that help in chemical reactions inside our bodies.
• Some hormones play an important role in regulating body functions and cell signaling. These hormones are amino acid derivatives. Thyroxine, a hormone produced from the thyroid gland, is an example.
• Histamine, an amino acid derivative, is useful in certain immune responses. Histidine is responsible for the histamine amino acid derivative.