acétiláció

Acétylacja is a chemical reaction where an acetyl group (CH3CO) is transferred from one molecule to another. This process is crucial in various biological and chemical contexts. In biology, acétylacja plays a significant role in regulating protein function, particularly through the modification of lysine residues in histone proteins. This epigenetic modification, known as histone acétylacja, affects gene expression by altering the accessibility of DNA to transcription machinery.

The addition of an acetyl group typically occurs via an enzyme called acetyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of the acetyl group from a donor molecule, most commonly acetyl-CoA. This modification can have diverse effects, including changing a protein's charge, conformation, or interaction with other molecules. Conversely, the removal of an acetyl group is mediated by deacetylases.

In organic chemistry, acétylacja is a common synthetic procedure used to introduce an acetyl group into organic molecules. This can be achieved using various acetylating agents such as acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride. Acétylacja is employed in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and other fine chemicals. For example, the acétylacja of salicylic acid produces aspirin, a widely used pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug. The reaction's reversibility and the varied functions of acétylacja make it a fundamental process in both living organisms and chemical synthesis.