Recombinant Human NAT8L protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

NAT8L also known as N-acetyltransferase 8-like plays an important mechanical role as an enzyme involved in acetylation processes. It has a molecular mass of approximately 28 kDa. The protein is prominently expressed in the brain specifically in areas including the cortex hippocampus and cerebellum. NAT8L's expression pattern indicates its significance within neural tissue.

Biological function summary

NAT8L catalyzes the production of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) through the transfer of an acetyl group to aspartate. NAA serves various important functions including acting as a precursor for lipid synthesis and a source of acetate for neuronal and glial cells. NAT8L does not typically form part of a larger protein complex but its enzymatic activity impacts brain metabolism significantly.

Pathways

NAT8L integrates into the neurochemical pathways related to brain development and function. NAA produced by NAT8L remains critical within the aspartate metabolism pathway. This pathway includes interactions with other proteins such as aspartoacylase which further hydrolyzes NAA into aspartate and acetate an important step linking to neuronal myelination and osmotic balance in the brain.

NAT8L's dysregulation has connections to neurological conditions such as Canavan disease and some forms of neurodegeneration. In Canavan disease mutations in the gene encoding for aspartoacylase disturb the metabolic process where NAT8L is involved leading to NAA accumulation and subsequent damage to myelin in the central nervous system. Furthermore imbalances in NAA levels linked to NAT8L activity have associations with neurodegenerative diseases highlighting its importance in maintaining neural health.