acetylation
Definition
Acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) where an acetyl group (CH3CO) is enzymatically added to a protein, typically to lysine residues or the N-terminus. This reversible modification is catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and removed by histone deacetylases (HDACs). Acetylation plays crucial roles in regulating gene expression through chromatin remodeling, protein stability, cellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Beyond histones, thousands of non-histone proteins undergo acetylation, affecting metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and signaling molecules. Dysregulated acetylation patterns are implicated in cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and aging, making acetylation sites important biomarkers and therapeutic targets in proteomics research.
Visualize acetylation in Nodes Bio
Researchers can map acetylation sites onto protein interaction networks to identify how this PTM influences signaling cascades and regulatory pathways. Nodes Bio enables visualization of acetylated proteins as distinct node types, connecting them to their modifying enzymes (HATs/HDACs), downstream targets, and associated biological processes. This network approach reveals crosstalk between acetylation and other PTMs, helping identify key regulatory hubs and potential drug targets in disease contexts.
Visualization Ideas:
- Protein-protein interaction networks colored by acetylation status and fold-change
- Enzyme-substrate networks connecting HATs/HDACs to their acetylated protein targets
- Multi-omics integration showing acetylation sites alongside gene expression and pathway enrichment
Example Use Case
A cancer research team investigating HDAC inhibitor resistance uses mass spectrometry to identify differentially acetylated proteins in resistant versus sensitive cell lines. They discover altered acetylation patterns on metabolic enzymes and transcription factors. By mapping these proteins in Nodes Bio alongside gene expression data and known drug targets, they visualize how acetylation changes rewire metabolic pathways and identify compensatory mechanisms. The network reveals that acetylation of specific glycolytic enzymes correlates with treatment resistance, suggesting combination therapy strategies targeting both HDACs and metabolism.