Nmyristoyl

Nmyristoyl refers to the myristoyl group attached to a nitrogen atom. The myristoyl group is derived from myristic acid, a saturated fatty acid with a 14-carbon chain. Myristic acid is commonly found in nutmeg, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil. When it forms an amide bond with a nitrogen-containing molecule, such as an amino acid or a protein, the resulting linkage is called an Nmyristoyl linkage. This modification, known as Nmyristoylation, is a common post-translational modification in proteins. It involves the covalent attachment of the myristoyl group to the N-terminus of a protein, typically to an N-terminal glycine residue. This lipidation of proteins can influence their localization within the cell, their stability, and their interaction with other cellular components. Nmyristoylated proteins are often found associated with cellular membranes. The Nmyristoyl group is lipophilic, which aids in anchoring these proteins to lipid bilayers. This process is catalyzed by enzymes called Nmyristoyltransferases (NMTs).