N-terminus
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The N-terminus (also known as the amino-terminus, NH2-terminus, N-terminal end or amine-terminus) is the start of a
Chemistry
Each amino acid has an
When a protein is
Function
N-terminal targeting signals
The N-terminus is the first part of the protein that exits the
Signal peptide
The N-terminal signal peptide is recognized by the
Mitochondrial targeting peptide
The N-terminal mitochondrial targeting peptide (mtTP) allows the protein to be imported into the mitochondrion.
Chloroplast targeting peptide
The N-terminal chloroplast targeting peptide (cpTP) allows for the protein to be imported into the chloroplast.
N-terminal modifications
Protein N-termini can be modified co - or post-translationally. Modifications include the removal of initiator methionine (iMet) by
N-terminal acetylation
N-Myristoylation
The N-terminus can be modified by the addition of a myristoyl anchor. Proteins that are modified this way contain a consensus motif at their N-terminus as a modification signal.
N-Acylation
The N-terminus can also be modified by the addition of a fatty acid anchor to form N-acetylated proteins. The most common form of such modification is the addition of a palmitoyl group.
See also
- C-terminus
- TopFIND, a scientific database covering proteases, their cleavage site specificity, substrates, inhibitors and protein termini originating from their activity
References
- ^ Reusch, William (5 May 2013). "Peptides & Proteins". Michigan State University Department of Chemistry.
- ISBN 978-0470547847.
- PMID 25914051.
- PMID 21655309.