MPEP § 2412.03(b) — “Amino Acid” (Annotated Rules)

§2412.03(b) “Amino Acid”

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2412.03(b), including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

“Amino Acid”

This section addresses “Amino Acid”. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.831. Contains: 1 permission and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Sequence Listing Content

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-03-b-146d98d9dbc0c3a28d31ee96]
Disclosure of Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences Required for Filing on or After July 1, 2022
Note:
All applications with a filing date on or after July 1, 2022, must disclose one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b).

[Editor Note: This section is applicable to all applications with a filing date, or, for national phase applications, an international filing date, on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosure of one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b).]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2412-03-b-57c32674f4699495d5ad81e7]
Definition of Amino Acids for Sequence Listings
Note:
This rule defines amino acids for sequence listings, including D-amino acids and those with modified or synthetic side chains.

WIPO Standard ST.26, paragraph 3(a), defines “amino acid” to mean any amino acid that can be represented using any of the symbols shown in Annex I, Table 3: List of Amino Acids Symbols of WIPO Standard ST.26 (reproduced in MPEP § 2412.03(a)). Such amino acids include, inter alia, D-amino acids and amino acids containing modified or synthetic side chains. Amino acids will be construed as unmodified L-amino acids unless further described in a “feature table”. See MPEP § 2413.01(g), subsection I, for discussion of a “feature table”. A peptide nucleic acid (PNA) residue is not considered an amino acid, but is considered a nucleotide.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing FormatSequence Listing Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-03-b-9fc160ae39aba9ef804a8ecd]
PNA Residue Is Not Considered an Amino Acid but a Nucleotide
Note:
A peptide nucleic acid (PNA) residue is classified as a nucleotide and not an amino acid.

WIPO Standard ST.26, paragraph 3(a), defines “amino acid” to mean any amino acid that can be represented using any of the symbols shown in Annex I, Table 3: List of Amino Acids Symbols of WIPO Standard ST.26 (reproduced in MPEP § 2412.03(a)). Such amino acids include, inter alia, D-amino acids and amino acids containing modified or synthetic side chains. Amino acids will be construed as unmodified L-amino acids unless further described in a “feature table”. See MPEP § 2413.01(g), subsection I, for discussion of a “feature table”. A peptide nucleic acid (PNA) residue is not considered an amino acid, but is considered a nucleotide.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Format
Topic

Sequence Listing Format

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2412-03-b-caf0f9dc6adfb1af662d0cd2]
Amino Acids Construed as L-Amino Acids Unless Described in Feature Table
Note:
Amino acids are considered unmodified L-amino acids unless further specified in a feature table.

WIPO Standard ST.26, paragraph 3(a), defines “amino acid” to mean any amino acid that can be represented using any of the symbols shown in Annex I, Table 3: List of Amino Acids Symbols of WIPO Standard ST.26 (reproduced in MPEP § 2412.03(a)). Such amino acids include, inter alia, D-amino acids and amino acids containing modified or synthetic side chains. Amino acids will be construed as unmodified L-amino acids unless further described in a “feature table”. See MPEP § 2413.01(g), subsection I, for discussion of a “feature table”. A peptide nucleic acid (PNA) residue is not considered an amino acid, but is considered a nucleotide.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Content

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Sequence Listing Content37 CFR § 1.831(b)
Sequence Listing Content
Sequence Listing Format
MPEP § 2412.03(a)
Sequence Listing Content
Sequence Listing Format
MPEP § 2413.01(g)

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31