demyristoylated

Demyristoylated refers to a protein that has had a myristoyl group removed from it. Myristoylation is a post-translational modification where a myristate fatty acid molecule is attached to a protein. This attachment typically occurs at the N-terminus of a glycine residue through an amide bond. The myristoyl group is a saturated fatty acid with 14 carbons. Myristoylation is an irreversible process and plays a crucial role in protein function, often influencing protein localization, membrane association, and protein-protein interactions. The removal of this myristoyl group, a process known as demyristoylation, is a less common but significant modification. This removal can be mediated by specific enzymes called myristoyl proteases or thioesterases. Demyristoylation can alter the protein's biological activity, potentially releasing it from membranes or changing its interaction partners. While myristoylation is widespread, the specific proteins that undergo demyristoylation and the biological contexts in which this occurs are areas of ongoing research. The dynamic interplay between myristoylation and demyristoylation can regulate cellular processes.