Naa80

Naa80 also known as N-alpha-acetyltransferase 80 or NatH is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NAA80 gene. Naa80 is a part of the N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) family, which are responsible for the acetylation of the amino acids at the N-terminus of proteins. This process is a common modification of eukaryotic proteins and is believed to play a crucial role in cellular processes such as protein synthesis, protein degradation, and protein-protein interactions.

Function

Naa80 specifically acetylates the N-terminus of actin, a protein that forms (together with myosin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells, and is involved in various types of cell movement, including cell motility, cell division and cytokinesis. This acetylation is important for actin function and for the regulation of the cytoskeleton and cell shape.

Structure

The structure of Naa80 is unique among NATs. It has a catalytic domain that is similar to other NATs, but it also has an additional domain that is believed to be involved in recognizing the N-terminus of actin. This additional domain is not found in other NATs, which suggests that Naa80 has evolved specifically to acetylate actin.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the NAA80 gene have been associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. The exact role of Naa80 in these diseases is still under investigation, but it is believed that the dysregulation of actin acetylation could contribute to disease development and progression.

See also

• N-terminal acetyltransferases
• Actin
• Protein acetylation