AANAT
Function
Controls the night/day rhythm of melatonin production in the pineal gland. Catalyzes the N-acetylation of serotonin into N-acetylserotonin, the penultimate step in the synthesis of melatonin.
Pathway
Aromatic compound metabolism; melatonin biosynthesis; melatonin from serotonin: step 1/2.
Post-translational modifications
cAMP-dependent phosphorylation on both N-terminal Thr-31 and C-terminal Ser-205 regulates AANAT activity by promoting interaction with 14-3-3 proteins.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the acetyltransferase family. AANAT subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
Highly expressed in pineal gland and at lower levels in the retina. Weak expression in several brain regions and in the pituitary gland.
Cellular localization
- Cytoplasm
Alternative names
SNAT, AANAT, Serotonin N-acetyltransferase, Serotonin acetylase, Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AA-NAT