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Mammalian myristoyl CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase

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Abstract

Myristoyl CoA:Protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is the enzyme which catalyses the covalent transfer of myristate from myristoyl CoA to the amino-terminal glycine residue of protein substrates. Although NMT is ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, the enzyme levels and cellular distribution vary among tissues. In this article, we describe the properties of mammalian NMT(s) with reference to subcellular distribution, molecular weights, substrate specificity and the possible involvement of NMT in pathological processes. The cytosolic fraction of bovine brain contains multiple forms of NMT activity whereas bovine spleen contains only a single form. In bovine brain and spleen, the cytosol contained majority of NMT activity. In contrast, rabbit colon and rat liver NMT activity was predominantly particulate. Regional differences in NMT activity have been observed in both rabbit intestine and bovine brain. Results from our laboratory along with the existing knowledge, provide evidence for the existence of tissue specific isozymes of NMT.

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Abbreviations

NMT:

myristoyl CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase

NIP71 :

71 kDa heat stable N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor protein

HIV-1:

human immunodeficiency virus 1

MoMLV:

Moloney Murine Leukaemia virus

SDS:

sodium dodecyl sulfate

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  1. Bernadene A. Magnuson

    Present address: Department of Food Science and Toxicology, Food Research Center, University of Idaho, 83844-2201, Moscow, Idaho, USA

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  1. Department of Pathology and Saskatoon Cancer Center, College of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 4H4, Saskatoon, Canada

    Rajala V. S. Raju, Bernadene A. Magnuson & Rajendra K. Sharma

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  1. Rajala V. S. Raju
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Raju, R.V.S., Magnuson, B.A. & Sharma, R.K. Mammalian myristoyl CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase. Mol Cell Biochem 149, 191–202 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01076577

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