acylproteiin

Acylproteins are a class of proteins that have been modified by the covalent attachment of an acyl group. This acylation typically occurs at the N-terminus of the protein or on the side chain of specific amino acid residues. The acyl group is usually a fatty acid, such as myristate or palmitate, but can also be other acyl moieties. This lipid modification is a form of post-translational modification that can significantly alter the protein's properties, including its solubility, membrane association, and biological activity.

The process of acylprotein formation is often catalyzed by specific enzymes. For N-terminal myristoylation, N-myristoyltransferases are responsible for transferring myristate from myristoyl-CoA to the N-terminal glycine residue of a target protein. Palmitoylation, the addition of palmitate, is typically reversible and catalyzed by palmitoyltransferases and depalmitoylases. These modifications play crucial roles in protein targeting, protein-protein interactions, and signal transduction pathways. Acylated proteins are frequently found in cellular membranes, suggesting a role in membrane anchoring or facilitating interactions with lipid bilayers. The specific acyl group and the site of attachment dictate the precise function of the acylprotein within the cell.