Lisäasetyloituminen

Lisäasetyloituminen, also known as secondary acetylation, refers to the process where a molecule undergoes acetylation at a site that has already been acetylated or is capable of further acetylation. Acetylation is a chemical reaction where an acetyl group (CH3CO-) is transferred to a molecule. This typically occurs through the action of enzymes called acetyltransferases.

In biological contexts, lisäasetyloituminen is particularly relevant in the modification of proteins and nucleic acids. For instance, histones, proteins that package DNA, can undergo multiple acetylation events. While initial acetylation of a lysine residue on a histone tail is well-studied and influences gene expression, further acetylation at other lysine residues on the same or different histone tails constitutes lisäasetyloituminen. These additional modifications can fine-tune the chromatin structure and its accessibility to transcription machinery.

Similarly, some small molecules or drug compounds might possess multiple sites susceptible to acetylation. If a molecule already has one acetyl group attached, and an enzyme or chemical process leads to the addition of another acetyl group, this is lisäasetyloituminen. This can alter the molecule's properties, such as its solubility, stability, or biological activity. Understanding the extent and location of lisäasetyloituminen is crucial for comprehending the complete functional consequences of acetylation in various biochemical pathways.