N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10

N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10 (NAA10), also known as Ard1 (Arrest defective 1), is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NAA10 gene. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the N-terminal acetylation of proteins, a process that is fundamental to cellular function and development. N-terminal acetylation involves the transfer of an acetyl group to the nitrogen atom of the first amino acid of a protein. This modification can affect the protein's function, stability, and interaction with other molecules.

Function

NAA10 is the catalytic subunit of the N-terminal acetyltransferase A (NatA) complex, which is responsible for the co-translational acetylation of proteins. This means that NAA10, in conjunction with other components of the NatA complex, modifies proteins during their synthesis at ribosomes. The acetylation by NAA10 can influence various aspects of a protein's life, including its folding, subcellular localization, and interactions with other proteins. This post-translational modification is also implicated in the regulation of important cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and DNA repair.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the NAA10 gene have been associated with a range of developmental and degenerative disorders. These include Lenz microphthalmia syndrome, a rare congenital condition characterized by abnormalities in eye development, and Ogden syndrome, a severe developmental disorder that affects multiple organ systems. The link between NAA10 mutations and these disorders highlights the importance of N-terminal acetylation in human development and disease.

Research has also suggested a role for NAA10 in cancer. Abnormal expression of NAA10 has been observed in various types of cancer, and it is thought to influence tumorigenesis through its effects on protein acetylation and cellular signaling pathways. As such, NAA10 is being studied as a potential target for cancer therapy.

Structure

The NAA10 gene encodes a protein that is a part of the NatA acetyltransferase complex. This complex also includes another subunit, NAA15, which serves as a regulatory and anchoring component. The structure of NAA10 has been elucidated through crystallography, revealing details about its active site and how it interacts with substrates and other components of the NatA complex.

Evolution

N-terminal acetylation is a highly conserved process in eukaryotes, indicating its fundamental importance to cellular life. The NAA10 gene and its associated enzyme activities are found across a wide range of organisms, from yeast to humans. This conservation across species underscores the critical role of NAA10 and N-terminal acetylation in protein function and cellular processes.

See Also

• Protein acetylation
• Post-translational modification
• NatA acetyltransferase complex
• Protein structure