Acetylation
Acetylation (pronounced as uh-set-l-ey-shuhn) is a process in biochemistry where an acetyl group is introduced into a molecule. The term is derived from the word 'acetyl', which is of French origin, and 'ation', a suffix used to form nouns of action or process.
Etymology
The term 'acetylation' is derived from the French word 'acétyle' which was coined by French chemist Auguste Laurent in 1834. 'Acétyle' is a combination of 'acide' (acid) and 'hyle' (matter). The suffix '-ation' is used to form nouns of action or process.
Process
Acetylation involves the transfer of an acetyl group from one molecule to another. The donor molecule is usually acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA). The process is catalyzed by various enzymes, including acetyltransferases.
Functions
Acetylation plays a crucial role in various biological processes, including:
- Protein acetylation: This process regulates protein function and is involved in numerous cellular processes, including DNA replication and cell division.
- Histone acetylation: This process is crucial for gene expression and chromatin structure.
- Drug metabolism: Acetylation is one of the major pathways for drug metabolism in the body.
Related Terms
- Deacetylation: The removal of an acetyl group from a molecule.
- Acetyltransferase: An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups.
- Acetyl coenzyme A: A molecule that participates in many biochemical reactions in protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acetylation
- Wikipedia's article - Acetylation
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