Myristoyyliryhmä

Myristoyyliryhmä refers to the acyl group derived from myristic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It has the chemical formula CH3(CH2)12CO-. This thirteen-carbon chain attached to a carbonyl group is commonly found in biological systems. Myristic acid itself is a component of various fats and oils, including coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and butterfat. When myristic acid esterifies with glycerol or other alcohols, the myristoyl group becomes part of the larger molecule.

In biological contexts, the myristoyl group plays a role in protein modification through a process called myristoylation. This is a lipid modification where a myristoyl group is covalently attached to the N-terminus of a protein, typically to a glycine residue. This lipidation can affect protein localization, stability, and function, often anchoring proteins to cellular membranes. For instance, many Src-family kinases and Ras proteins are myristoylated. The hydrophobic nature of the myristoyl chain facilitates interactions with lipid bilayers, leading to membrane association. The myristoyl group is a common fatty acyl moiety found in cellular lipids and is also used in the synthesis of soaps and cosmetics due to its surfactant properties.