Record Information
Version1.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2020-12-10 18:40:07 UTC
Update Date2024-04-30 19:32:55 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0000541
Metabolite Identification
Common NameN-Acetyl-L-alanine
DescriptionN-Acetyl-L-alanine or N-Acetylalanine, 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-Acetyl-L-alanine can also be classified as an alpha amino acid or a derivatized alpha amino acid. Technically, N-alpha-Acetyl-L-alanine is a biologically available N-terminal capped form of the proteinogenic alpha amino acid L-alanine. 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 (PMID: 16465618 ). About 85% of all human proteins and 68% of all yeast proteins are acetylated at their N-terminus (PMID: 21750686 ). Several proteins from prokaryotes and archaea are also modified by N-terminal acetylation. The majority of eukaryotic N-terminal-acetylation reactions occur through N-acetyltransferase enzymes or NAT’s (PMID: 30054468 ). 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) (PMID: 30054468 ). NatA also exists in a monomeric state and can post-translationally acetylate acidic N-termini residues (D-, E-). NatB and NatC acetylate N-terminal methionine with further specificity determined by the identity of the second amino acid. N-Acetyl-L-alanine is a product of the enzyme known as ribosomal alanine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.128) which catalyzes the transfer of the acetyl group of acetyl CoA to proteins bearing an N-terminal alanine. N-acetylated amino acids, such as N-acetylalanine can be released by an N-acylpeptide hydrolase from peptides generated by proteolytic degradation (PMID: 16465618 ). Excessive amounts N-acetyl amino acids can be detected in the urine with individuals with aminoacylase I deficiency, a genetic disorder (PMID: 16465618 ). These include N-acetylalanine (as well as N-acetylserine, N-acetylglutamine, N-acetylglutamate, N-acetylglycine, N-acetylmethionine and smaller amounts of N-acetylthreonine, N-acetylleucine, N-acetylvaline and N-acetylisoleucine. Aminoacylase I is a soluble homodimeric zinc binding enzyme that catalyzes the formation of free aliphatic amino acids from N-acetylated precursors. In humans, Aminoacylase I is encoded by the aminoacylase 1 gene (ACY1) on chromosome 3p21 that consists of 15 exons (OMIM 609924 ). Individuals with aminoacylase I deficiency will experience convulsions, hearing loss and difficulty feeding (PMID: 16465618 ). ACY1 can also catalyze the reverse reaction, the synthesis of acetylated amino acids. Many N-acetylamino acids, including N-acetylalanine, are classified as uremic toxins (PMID: 26317986 ; PMID: 20613759 ). 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 (PMID: 18287557 ). N-Acetyl-L-alanine has been identified in the human placenta (PMID: 32033212 ).
Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
(S)-2-(Acetylamino)propanoic acidChEBI
2-Acetamidopropionic acidChEBI
Ac-ala-OHChEBI
AcetylalanineChEBI
L-N-AcetylalanineChEBI
N-Acetyl-L-alpha-alanineChEBI
N-Acetyl-S-alanineChEBI
N-AcetylalanineChEBI
(S)-2-(Acetylamino)propanoateGenerator
2-AcetamidopropionateGenerator
N-Acetyl-L-a-alanineGenerator
N-Acetyl-L-α-alanineGenerator
(S)-(-)-N-AcetylalanineHMDB
(S)-N-AcetylalanineHMDB
Acetyl-L-alanineHMDB
N-Acetyl-(S)-alanineHMDB
Molecular FormulaC5H9NO3
Average Mass131.1299
Monoisotopic Mass131.058243159
IUPAC Name(2S)-2-acetamidopropanoic acid
Traditional NameN-acetylalanine
CAS Registry NumberNot Available
SMILES
C[C@H](NC(C)=O)C(O)=O
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/C5H9NO3/c1-3(5(8)9)6-4(2)7/h3H,1-2H3,(H,6,7)(H,8,9)/t3-/m0/s1
InChI KeyKTHDTJVBEPMMGL-VKHMYHEASA-N