N-Acetyl-L-threonine (or N-Acetylthreonine, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as N-acyl-alpha amino acids. N-acyl-alpha amino acids are compounds containing an alpha amino acid which bears an acyl group at its terminal nitrogen atom. N-Acetylthreonine can also be classified as an alpha amino acid or a derivatized alpha amino acid. Technically, N-Acetylthreonine is a biologically available N-terminal capped form of the proteinogenic alpha amino acid L-threonine. N-acetyl amino acids can be produced either via direct synthesis of specific N-acetyltransferases or via the proteolytic degradation of N-acetylated proteins by specific hydrolases. N-terminal acetylation of proteins is a widespread and highly conserved process in eukaryotes that is involved in protection and stability of proteins. The majority of eukaryotic N-terminal-acetylation reactions occur through N-acetyltransferase enzymes or NAT. These enzymes consist of three main oligomeric complexes NatA, NatB, and NatC, which are composed of at least a unique catalytic subunit and one unique ribosomal anchor. The substrate specificities of different NAT enzymes are mainly determined by the identities of the first two N-terminal residues of the target protein. The human NatA complex co-translationally acetylates N-termini that bear a small amino acid (A, S, T, C, and occasionally V and G). In addition to the NAT enzymes and protein-based acetylation, N-acetylation of free threonine can also occur. Excessive amounts N-acetyl amino acids including N-acetylthreonine (as well as N-acetylglycine, N-acetylserine, N-acetylmethionine, N-acetylglutamate, N-acetylalanine, N-acetylleucine and smaller amounts of N-acetylglutamine, N-acetylisoleucine, and N-acetylvaline) can be detected in the urine with individuals with acylase I deficiency, a genetic disorder. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to arylamines, arylhydroxylamines and arylhydrazines. N-acetylthreonine are classified as uremic toxins if present in high abundance in the serum or plasma. Uremic toxins are a diverse group of endogenously produced molecules that, if not properly cleared or eliminated by the kidneys, can cause kidney damage, cardiovascular disease and neurological deficits. N-Acetylthreonine has been identified in the human placenta.

Metabolism and Physiological Effects of N-Acetylthreonine References