Peptide alpha-N-acetyltransferase

In enzymology, a peptide alpha-N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.88) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

acetyl-CoA + peptide ${\displaystyle \rightleftharpoons }$ Nalpha-acetylpeptide + CoA

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are acetyl-CoA and peptide, whereas its two products are Nalpha-acetylpeptide and CoA.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those acyltransferases transferring groups other than aminoacyl groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is acetyl-CoA:peptide Nalpha-acetyltransferase. Other names in common use include beta-endorphin acetyltransferase, peptide acetyltransferase, protein N-terminal acetyltransferase, NAT, Nalpha-acetyltransferase, amino-terminal amino acid-acetylating enzyme, and acetyl-CoA:peptide alpha-N-acetyltransferase.

As of late 2007, two structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes 2OB0 and 2PSW.

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